Podcasts about writers

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

Send a textWelcome back everyone for the conclusion to my interview with retired Central Florida Sheriff Deputy Michael Dilks. Mike is a retired Deputy Sheriff and Police Officer with 23 years with experience in patrol, investigations, and undercover narcotics. Mike was a member of SWAT, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the DEA Narcotics Task Force and supervised a Street Crimes Unit. Prior to his law enforcement career, Mike served three years in the United States Army as an Airborne Infantryman.Michael is the mastermind behind the highly successful and controversial meme page @CopvilleOG and the Lock'd Up with Copville Podcast. Michael is also the co-host and co-owner of The Anti-Hero Broadcast.Mike was involved in and was 100% invested in his career, especially doing undercover narcotics work, and it cost him his marriage and sobriety. Mike's personal rock bottom, that included being the focus of an FBI investigation and his best friend and Sheriff turning his back on him. He rose above all of it and has turned his energy into a successful podcast and creative content career.Please enjoy this eye opening, and informative interview with someone who has risen from the ashes.  In today's episode, we discuss:·      The bitter end to his law enforcement career. ·      His wife and daughter working for the crocked Sheriff who forced him to retire.·      What can be done to retore law enforcement today?·      What real community policing looks like.·      Cops fall in love with the job and don't know what to do when the job doesn't love them back.·      Where his entrepreneurial spirit came from.·      Copville, The Antihero Podcast, and other businesses. How he balance's work and family?·      The Antihero broadcast. ·      Mike has been exposed to a lot of good and bad stuff. Has it pushed him away or towards God or a higher power? All of this and more on today's episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.Connect with Michael Dilks:Instagram: @copvilleogPodcast Instagram: @the_antihero_podcastWebsite: www.copvilleog.comYouTube:   / @copvilleog   Visit the Cops & Writers Website!Check out my newest book! Police Stories: The Rookie Years - True Crime, Chaos & Life as a Big City Cop!Support the show

We're excited to welcome suspense author and travel journalist Dawn M. Barclay. She's here to share insights about her intriguing book: Vacations Can Be Murder, a fascinating travel guide that uncovers the locations of major crimes and buried bodies in New England.Writers and reference books can be great sources for screenplay ideas, and this book offers countless ideas on every page. Who knows, maybe your next script idea will be on page 43? Buckle up as we explore the criminal landscape. "Warning: this episode contains content that may be sensitive, distressing, or inappropriate for certain audiences." Please note that we discuss depictions of violence, murder, and sexual assault that you might find disturbing. Executive Producer Kristin OvernCreator/Executive Producer Sandy AdomaitisProducer Terry SampsonMusic by Ethan Stoller

Stacey and Melanie dive into the transformative power of the Slice of Life Story Challenge, a writing initiative that has connected educators since 2008. Stacey shares the origins of the challenge, emphasizing the importance of community and daily writing. The discussion highlights how participating in this challenge not only enhances writing skills but also deepens empathy and understanding among teachers, impacting their overall teaching practices. Melanie reflects on a recent meeting with fellow educators who revealed that the challenge has been a game-changer in their careers, enriching their approach across various content areas. Join them as they explore the profound insights gained from being authentic learners within a supportive writing community.Go Deeper:Building on “Rallying a Community of Writers”: A February Support System by Ana Valentina PattonEmbracing Imperfection as a Teacher-Writer: A Conversation With a Colleague - Stacey Shubitz and Ana Valentina PattonMattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose by Jennifer Breheny WallaceOn a Thought by Ona GabrielOne Writer at a Time: Fostering An Adult Writing Community by Jessica CareyRallying a Community of Writers by Jessica CareyWriting: The Gift We Give Ourselves by Jessica CareyEssential FAQs for First-Time Slice of Life Story Challenge ParticipantsThanks 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 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.

Do your ever wonder what the winter landscape looked like on the prairie long ago when there were no farmsteads, transmission lines, and the few trees that were present were largely restricted to the floodplains of major rivers? There are some interesting written descriptions of that landscape.

Cerchi un corso di italiano online? Scrivimi a salvatore.tantoperparlare@gmail.com e parliamone!Umberto Eco è stato un grande intellettuale italiano capace di rivoluzionare l'università e la filosofia, ma anche di scrivere romanzi di grandissima popolarità.Se ti piace Salvatore racconta, puoi sostenere il progetto per aiutarlo a restare libero, gratuito e di qualità. Vai su www.patreon.com/salvatoreracconta e dai il tuo contributo!La trascrizione di questo episodio è come sempre disponibile per le persone iscritte alla newsletter. Vuoi iscriverti? Fallo da qui: https://salvatoreracconta.substack.comTesto e voce di Salvatore Greco

Oopsie. Looks like we uploaded Frightday Morning from this week initially. Enjoy...the REAL Zodiac Convergence! --------------- This week, mentions of a (Gell-)man(n) in the Epstein files, and his proposed participation in a modern secret society has led us down a rabbit-hole of it's origins, the identify of other members, their possible influence, and maybe even what was on the menu. Want more? Join the Frightday Society, at http://thefrightdaysociety.org   The conversation delves into the enigmatic Zodiac Group, a secret society with historical ties to influential figures like Robert Maxwell and connections to the Epstein scandal. The discussion explores the group's origins, its members, and its potential involvement in UFO research, as well as the interplay between wealth, power, and intelligence. The hosts also touch on the legacy of figures like Tesla and JP Morgan, and how these connections shape our understanding of modern conspiracies.   As a Society Member, 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 Yawns Produced by Byron McKoy Follow us in the shadows at the following places:  @byronmckoy @kellyfrightday @frightday This is an Audio Wool Original.   Zodiac Group, Epstein, secret societies, UFO research, Robert Maxwell, Tesla, JP Morgan, intelligence, finance, conspiracy theories, historical connections

On today's program, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has sued a small church in California for legal title to its property—but that small church is fighting back. We'll have details.  And, a hacker drained $85,000 from an Oklahoma church's bank account. Then in North Dakota, a woman was indicted for stealing over $600,000 from a church she worked at. Both cases highlight why ordinary access to church finances can equal extraordinary losses—and the need for tightening protocols. Also, six months ago, Barnabas Aid came under scrutiny for accusations of financial mismanagement. Now, under new leadership, the ministry is working hard to turn things around. Plus, Bible Study Fellowship prepares its new headquarters in Grapevine, Texas. But first, Agape Flights, a Christian aviation ministry, lost contact with one of its planes last Thursday. The next day, search and rescue teams found the plane crashed in the Haitian mountains. No one on board survived the crash. 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 Isaac Wood, Kim Roberts, Scott Barkley, Jessica Eturralde, Makella Knowles, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to Baptist Press for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

This week, mentions of a (Gell-)man(n) in the Epstein files, and his proposed participation in a modern secret society has led us down a rabbit-hole of it's origins, the identify of other members, their possible influence, and maybe even what was on the menu. Want more? Join the Frightday Society, at http://thefrightdaysociety.org   The conversation delves into the enigmatic Zodiac Group, a secret society with historical ties to influential figures like Robert Maxwell and connections to the Epstein scandal. The discussion explores the group's origins, its members, and its potential involvement in UFO research, as well as the interplay between wealth, power, and intelligence. The hosts also touch on the legacy of figures like Tesla and JP Morgan, and how these connections shape our understanding of modern conspiracies.   As a Society Member, 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 Yawns Produced by Byron McKoy Follow us in the shadows at the following places:  @byronmckoy @kellyfrightday @frightday This is an Audio Wool Original.   Zodiac Group, Epstein, secret societies, UFO research, Robert Maxwell, Tesla, JP Morgan, intelligence, finance, conspiracy theories, historical connections

Our live show is still available to watch on VOD through Dynasty Typewriter, get it now while you still can! Tickets available here: https://www.dynastytypewriter.com/calendar-squad-up?event-id=128389Fairies with giant wings and even larger shlongs meet feisty female assassins who are also princesses. Vampires and witches fall in love when the world forbids it. These are just some of the plots you can find within the pages of romantasies, the hot and steamy genre of literature that has taken the world and TikTok by storm. Today on the podcast, we sit down with 5 of the world's foremost romantasy writers as we learn the books that inspired them, the books they're most proud of, and maybe even get a peek into their favorite steamy scenes. So pause that audio book, settle in with your glass of wine and book club, and listen in!Our incredible guest who had us breaking from minute 1 is D.J. Mausner! Watch the movie they wrote, Prom Dates, on Hulu and find them @djmausner on socials!This episode was filmed in the beautiful Dynasty Typewriter Theater, and tech-produced by Samuel Curtis. For live shows and events you can find more about them at dynastytypewriter.com.To learn more about the BTS of this episode and to find a world of challenges, games, inside scoop, and the Artists being themselves, subscribe to our Patreon! You won't be disappointed with what you find. Check out patreon.com/aoaoaoapod Artists on Artists on Artists on Artists is an improvised Hollywood roundtable podcast by Kylie Brakeman, Jeremy Culhane, Angela Giarratana, and Patrick McDonald. Produced by Laservision Productions. Music by Gabriel Ponton. Edited by Conner McCabe. Thumbnail art by Josh Fleury. Hollywood's talking. Make sure you're listening. Subscribe to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Youtube! Please rate us five stars!

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

Welcome to the Spun Today Podcast! In this episode, host Tony Ortiz dives deep into the world of creativity, storytelling, and relentless artistic dedication. Through a writer's lens, Tony breaks down the Black Mirror episode "Playthings," exploring how subtle worldbuilding, understated technology, and obsessive innovation can drive a narrative that lingers long after the credits roll. He shares actionable writing takeaways, like infusing big ideas through passion—not prophecy—and harnessing ambiguity to keep your audience engaged.   The episode doesn't stop at dissecting TV—Tony shines a spotlight on creative perseverance in the beloved segment "Goats Doing Goat $hit," this time honoring Nia Vardalos for sticking to her vision and overcoming countless studio rejections to create the iconic "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." You'll find inspiration, practical advice, and creative prompts throughout, making this episode a must-listen for writers, artists, and anyone chasing their creative dreams.   The Spun Today Podcast is a Podcast that is anchored in Writing, but unlimited in scope.  Give it a whirl.      Twitter: https://twitter.com/spuntoday  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spuntoday/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@spuntoday   Website: http://www.spuntoday.com/home  Newsletter: http://www.spuntoday.com/subscribe        Links referenced in this episode   Plaything: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31215636/   My Big Fat Greek Wedding: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259446/   https://www.looper.com/845207/the-untold-truth-of-my-big-fat-greek-wedding/   Get your Podcast Started Today! https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=SPUN (Use Promo code SPUN and get up to 2-months of free service!)   Check out all the Spun Today Merch, and other ways to help support this show! https://www.spuntoday.com/support     Check out my Books   Make Way for You – Tips for getting out of your own way ÁBRЕТЕ CAMINO: CONSEJOS PARA DEJAR DE SER TU PROPIO OBSTÁCULO (Spanish Edition) FRACTAL – A Time Travel Tale Melted Cold – A Collection of Short Stories   http://www.spuntoday.com/books/ (e-Book, Paperback & Hardcover are now available)   Fill out my Spun Today Questionnaire if you're passionate about your craft.  I'll share your insight and motivation on the Podcast: http://www.spuntoday.com/questionnaire/     Shop on Amazon using this link, to support the Podcast: https://amzn.to/4km592l      Shop on iTunes using this link, to support the Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTop?genreId=38&id=27820&popId=42&uo=10   Shop at the Spun Today store for Mugs, Notebooks, T-Shirts and more: https://spuntoday-shop.fourthwall.com/   Music: https://www.purple-planet.com   Outro Background Music: https://www.bensound.com   Spun Today Logo by: https://www.naveendhanalak.com/   Sound effects are credited to: http://www.freesfx.co.uk   Listen on: ApplePodcasts | Spotify | Pocket Casts | YouTube | Website

Why is it important for the Church to encourage the creation of theologically rich and musically beautiful hymnody? Dr. Jon Vieker (Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Dean of Chapel, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis), Katie Schuermann (author and storyteller, most notably of the Anthems of Zion series from CPH), and Dr. Lisa Clark (hymn writer, Senior Editor of Curriculum Resources at CPH) join Andy and Sarah to talk about the upcoming Prevallet Hymn Writing Workshop. They share what each of them will be speaking on at the workshop, why this workshop is so important for the future of hymn writing, the companion hymn festival celebrating women hymn writers, and how community members can attend each event. Learn more about the Prevallet Hymn Writing Workshop at csl.edu/event/prevallet-hymn-writing-workshop-2026 and the companion Hymn Festival at csl.edu/event/a-hymn-festival-featuring-the-hymns-of-lisa-clark-and-katie-schuermann. As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let's be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you'd like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

In 1996, Microcosm started a small closet poorly insulated house. It wasn't intended to be a job or an organization, or even a business. Thirty years later, this has turned out to be one Microcosm's strengths. We've always intended to solve a very real problem, no matter how unrealistic the set of circumstances and challenges.This week on the podcast, hang out with Joe and Elly as they take you through Microcosm's origins, how we got here, and what lessons they'll be taking into the next 30 years.************Thank you for catching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

Check out this fun episode with Journalist, Blogger, & Road Tripper, Clayton Hensley!This podcast was so much fun talking with Clayton about hisbrand, Knox Road Tripper, a few of his favorite small-town destinations, and a great conversation about: -Small Town Marketing and how to “Flip The Script”for Small Towns. -You also learn about The “Small Movements” in Small TownMarketing that Matter.Note: This recording was made before the newly constructed Aspire Park in Clinton, TN, was opened. https://alwaysaspire.com/**More on Clayton Hensley (@knoxroadtripper)Travel does more than transport you from one place toanother; it provides an avenue for endless adventure.  My name is Clayton Hensley (a.k.a.knoxroadtripper).  I am an East Tennesseenative who has always loved the open road and the chance to experience newplaces.Following a 15-year career in the television news business,I found myself writing more and more about travel. I started as a freelancerwith the Knoxville News-Sentinel, then moved to writing for outlets online.Eventually I created my own website focused on travel, knoxroadtripper.com.The travel writing journey not only took me to differentplaces, it also took me to new levels professionally as my writing expanded towork in travel guides, work on a wide range of websites, and attending manytravel-related conferences. My hope is to inspire people to venture out on aroad trip and return with a new perspective about the places they visited alongthe way. My wife Melinda and I have lived in Clinton, TN for morethan 25 years. We have a son and a daughter, who, through the years, lovedtraveling with us (most of the time)!  My“real” job is working as a communications director for a large church. In whatlittle spare time I have, I love taking lots of pictures, cooking, and catchingup on the TV shows I've missed because I'm out on a road trip.  Click Here for Website: https://www.knoxroadtripper.com/Follow on Facebook & Instagram: ⁠@knoxroadtripperAbout The ⁠Travel Small Towns Podcast⁠:Welcome to the ⁠Travel Small Towns Podcast⁠(formerly My Town Travels). The Only Podcast Dedicated to Small Town Travel Destinations, Culture, & Lifestyle from a small-town perspective. We are bringing you Destination Stories, Experiences, and Tips with Expert Interviews,including Travel Professionals, Writers, Bloggers, Influencers, and Special Individuals who uplift their ⁠Small-Town Communities⁠!Listen now to great travel stories and insights you'll love,whether for an escape, a laugh, to relate, or to find the best Small-Town Destinations! Join host Kristy Burns, guest collaborators, and small-town enthusiasts as they discuss what makes small towns special and unique places tovisit.Check out More on Small Town Travel at ⁠Travelsmalltowns.com 

Send a textI came, I saw, I conquered... well. I definitely saw Hollywood, let's hear what I think!Follow My Sisters New Podcast " Building With Beliefs With AJ" IG: bwbpodcast_My podcast is also on YouTube!@butlikethatsonmymindIG: @butlikethatsonmymind @ashantee0419@booksandtee_@futureteeproductionsSupport the show

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!It's critical to understand the dynamics of book distribution, the advantages of ebooks, and strategies for increasing sales, especially as an indie author. So in this conversation, I discuss recent updates in the self-publishing world, focusing on distribution platforms for authors, particularly the new option for ebook distribution through Bookshop.org. The conversation also touches on the challenges indie authors face in getting their books into physical bookstores and how I suggest indie authors best utilize various distribution platforms for maximum effectiveness.RESOURCES MENTIONEDVideo: How to Update Your Fonts if KDP Rejects Your ManuscriptEpisode 98: Going Wide Vs. Amazon Exclusivity (KDP Select) Getting Your Self-Published Book Into Bookstores Author Email Toolkit: 30+ Templates for Building Buzz, Selling More Books, and Growing Your Reader ListREADY TO FINALLY BE IN THAT "CAN'T STOP WRITING" FLOW?Grab the free nonfiction or memoir kickstart that's helped hundreds of authors get out of their heads and into the flow: 

In a world where many of us were socialized to be modest, avoid shining “too brightly,” and stay humble, it can be really uncomfortable when other people think you're impressive. If you regularly shy away from praise, counter people's compliments with “proof” that you're ordinary, or find yourself struggling with confidence as a writer, this episode is for you. *** There are a limited number of private coaching spots available for the first half of 2026. Applications are open now and close on February 20th. Learn more about coaching OR access the application directly here. *** Follow me behind-the-scenes as I revise my novel under deadline. Learn more here. Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

Living Writers 2026-02-11 - WCBN Public Affairs Programming - T Hetzel

What happens when a poem becomes more dangerous than a weapon?In this episode, Kshitij and Burair dive into the high-stakes world of the Progressive Writers' Movement (PWM). We start in the 1940s, where Faiz Ahmad Faiz watched the British Empire stumble during WWII and realized the "iron was red-hot"—it was time for India to strike.We trace the DNA of resistance from Faiz's iconic "Bol" to the fiery Ghazals of Dushyant Kumar that defined the "Halla Bol" spirit decades later. But the revolution wasn't just political; it was personal. We explore the radical feminism of Kaifi Azmi and Majaaz Lakhnawi, who challenged women to step out of the shadows and turn their "aanchals" into revolutionary banners.From the prison cells of Pakistan to the protest streets of India, join us as we uncover how these poets taught a subcontinent that silence is the only true defeat.

Bee Wilson joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about the evolution of our narratives, how each book teaches you how to write it, approaching memoir from many different angles, how there's no predetermined idea of what a memoir needs to be, writing about divorce and her husband leaving at the end of the first lockdown in the UK, the emotional life of kitchen objects, not being afraid to tell our truth, cooking as salve, obligations to our reader and our lives, growing comfortable with the idea of writing about ourselves, how the particular becomes universal, piecing strands together, creating necessary boundaries, writing closer to the bone, and her new memoir about moving on The Heart-Shaped Tin: Love Loss and Kitchen Objects.  Info/Registration for Ronit's 10-Week Memoir Class Memoir Writing: Finding Your Story https://www.pce.uw.edu/courses/memoir-writing-finding-your-story Also in this episode: -cooking as a salve -choosing what we share  -the ethics of memoir writing   Books mentioned in this episode:  -Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner -The Kitchen Congregation: A Daughter's Story of Wives and Women Friends  by Nora Seaton -Work by Guy de Mauppassant -Work by Anton Checkov   Bee Wilson is a food writer and the author of 8 books on food-related topics. Her latest book, The Heart-Shaped Tin, is an exploration of the emotional stories behind kitchen objects, told partly through memoir. Her previous books include The Secret of Cooking: Recipes for an Easier Life in the Kitchen and Consider the Fork. She writes for a wide range of publications in the U.K. and U.S. including The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. She is the co-founder of TastEd, a charity aimed at bringing the joy of vegetables and fruits to children.   Connect with Bee: Website: https://www.beewilson.com/ @kitchenbee on Instagram and Substack Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Shaped-Tin-Love-Kitchen-Objects/dp/132407924X   Get the book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-heart-shaped-tin-bee-wilson/1146855283   – 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

Join hosts J.D. Barker, Christine Daigle, Jena Brown, JP Rindfleisch, and Kevin Tumlinson as they discuss the week's entertainment news, including stories about ProWritingAid's Novel Beginnings, the Washington Post, bookshop.org, and bookstreaming. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Podcasting can be a powerful way to grow your audience—without travel, booking agents, or a big production budget. In this episode, we explore podcasting as an alternative (or complement) to public speaking, especially for writers and creators who want to share their message in a more personal, accessible way.We'll talk about why podcasting works, how it helps your audience connect with you beyond the written word, and what kinds of episodes you can create. I also share practical lessons I've learned along the way—from keeping episodes short, to finding a sustainable rhythm, to using podcast episodes as long-term resources for your audience.If you've ever wondered whether starting a podcast could help you serve your audience and grow your platform, this episode will help you think it through with clarity and confidence.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

The second International AI Safety Report, released on February 3, brings together insights from over 100 AI experts across 30 countries to assess the current state of frontier AI systems. The report examines advanced models' capabilities, the risks they pose, and the technical and governance measures needed to ensure their safe development and deployment.  In this episode of the AI Policy Podcast, Wadhwani AI Center senior adviser Gregory C. Allen is joined by lead writer Stephen Clare and MIT Ph.D. student Stephen Casper, who authored the section on technical safeguards. They discuss how the latest Safety Report compares to the first edition published last year, explore the Report's findings on technical safeguards, and unpack the document's key policy implications.

In this episode of the Game Deflators podcast, hosts John and Ryan discuss a variety of topics including their recent game pickups, experiences with movie-based video games, and personal updates. They delve into the unique RPG mechanics of Valkyrie Profile, share their thoughts on the anime Record of Ragnarok, and review the indie game Iron Lung. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by Magic the Gathering's secret layers, Valve's Steam Machine delays, and the announcement of a new Horizon game. The episode concludes with a review of The Page Master as part of their Inflation Deflation Challenge. 00:00 Introduction to the Game Deflators Podcast 01:26 Exploring Movie-Based Video Games 05:05 Game Pickups and Drafting Magic The Gathering 08:32 Valkyrie Profile: Gameplay Insights 12:22 Record of Ragnarok: Anime Discussion 16:26 Iron Lung: Indie Game and Movie Review 21:04 Fighting Game Journey: Snackbox Micro and Guilty Gear Strive 28:13 Walking and Gaming: Dragon Quest XI Experience 32:37 The Evolving Landscape of JRPGs 36:10 Wizards of the Coast and the Secret Layer Dilemma 40:55 Final Fantasy Board Game Announcement 44:11 Valve's Steam Machines Delayed 55:13 New Horizon Game Announcement 01:01:09 The Page Master Game Review Find us on TheGameDeflators.com Twitter - www.twitter.com/GameDeflators Facebook - www.facebook.com/TheGameDeflators Instagram - www.instagram.com/thegamedeflators   The views and opinions expressed on this channel are solely those of the author. The content within these recordings are property of their respective Designers, Writers, Creators, Owners, Organizations, Companies and Producers. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted. Permission for intro and outro music provided by Matthew Huffaker http://www.youtube.com/user/teknoaxe 2_25_18

Mark Haddon might be best known for his 2003 breakout novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. But it's only the tip of a body of work that stretches across genres and artforms. He's the author of three other adult novels, including The Porpoise and two collections of short stories. Dogs and Monsters came out last year. He's also written poetry and plays. Before The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Mark wrote over a dozen children's books. He's also an illustrator and visual artist. Out this month is Leaving Home: A Memoir in Full Colour, which gives us access to his amazing mind and provides one roadmap into the creative process (recognizing there are an infinite number of roads). He joins Marrie Stone to talk about his insights into the craft including using constraints to enhance creativity, why he no longer uses flowcharts to map his work, how the flow state in writing differs from visual art, how writers' childhoods are different, and how he leaned into his writing weaknesses to produce The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. He also talks about mental illness and creativity, points of view he won't touch, and so 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 February 2, 2026) Host: Barbara DeMarco-Barrett Host: Marrie StoneMusic: Travis Barrett (Stream his music on Spotify, Apple Music, Etc.)

Show Notes:This week I had a conversation with the writers behind the short called Hystericus about a giant vulva monster, Jessica Lauren Richmond and Peyton Blackmer. Men, if you're unsure of what that is, go google it. They told me where the idea for the short came from, how they found their cast, and what it's been like taking it on the festival circuit. Jessica, who also directed the short, revealed her favorite horror directors that inspired her on the set, and they reveal their future plans for Hystericus after their festival run is finished. We also get into a pretty rad discussion about The Blair Witch Project towards the end! Apologies up front for my mic being pretty low but you're not here to hear me speak so hopefully it's OK.Jessica and Peyton's Socials:Jessica's IG: https://www.instagram.com/jessicalaurenrichmond/Peyton's IG: https://www.instagram.com/teethforsale/ Genius Pills: https://www.geniuspills.com/Hystericus on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32636250/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_7_nm_0_in_0_q_HYSTERICUSWho's There? Socials:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/whostherepc.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whostherepcTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/whostherepcLetterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/thatgirlallison/ Email: whostherepc@gmail.com Website: https://www.whostherepodcast.com Join the Email List: https://mailchi.mp/4a109b94d3bc/newsletter-signup

In this episode, Matt sits down with Teen Librarian Amy Lemelin, Rochester Public Library, to talk about the upcoming YA Author Fair and the many activities happening in the library's Teen Room. The YA Author Fair will take place on Wednesday, February 25, at 6 p.m. in the Community Room, featuring local young adult authors Terry Farrish, Ron Kaiser, J.R. Rainville, and Adi Rule as they discuss the stories behind their books, share creative insights, and answer questions in a lively conversation.

2/9/26: Megan Zinn w/ Broadside's Roz Kreshak-Hayden: books to read & indies to support. Writers Block w/John Sayles's on “Crucible,” Henry Ford, industrial policy & his antisemitism. Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia: Bad Bunny, schools, MTA negotiations, icy roads, state aid, & financial modernization. John Bonifaz, Pres & Founder of Free Speech for People: prosecuting ICE agents, the AG, DAs, & the police.

Original Release Date: Monday 9 February 2026    Description:   It's part two of a special two-part episode! 2025 was a truly great year in cinema and Dean and Phil have a great many topics to discuss as they each reveal their Top 5 films from the year that was (consult Year 19 Episode 39 for their #10 thru #6 selections). Afterwards, they take a look at, perhaps, the most promising fantasy film to be coming out in 2026! So, keep those streaming queues handy. Your friends in podcasting may just be coming up with some titles you will want to track down!

Novelists Maggie O'Farrell, Stacey Halls, and Ruta Sepetys on turning research into living scenes, building non-linear structure that still feels clear, and writing voice and dialogue that make the past feel immediate. Timestamps:00:01:30 Maggie O'Farrell00:26:14 Stacey Halls00:49:33 Ruta Sepetys You'll learn:The importance of "reading like a writer" to reverse-engineer time, tense, and technique from books you love.How to structure a non-chronological narrative using flowcharts and “breadcrumb trails” so readers never feel lost.Where to look for small, specific historical details that unlock character, scene, and momentum.A practical way to treat research as idea-generation, not “homework you must finish” before you start drafting.A simple plotting method (index cards + one-sentence scenes) that helps you see the whole book at a glance.Why a first draft is allowed to be rough, and how that mindset can help you write faster and finish.How “writing toward a feeling” can guide structure when you can't see the whole plot in advance.Ways to keep going through the long middle by focusing on the work itself, not external noise.How to use collaboration and expert readers to pressure-test cultural and historical authenticity. Resources & Links:Join our LWS community!Maggie's full episode and notesStacey's full episode and notesRuta's full episode and notes About the authors:Maggie O'Farrell is the bestselling author of Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait, noted for lyrical prose and inventive structure; her craft insights span sentence-level cadence, non-linear timelines, and historically grounded voice.Note: Our episode with Maggie was done in collaboration with Arvon, the UK's leading creative writing charity. Arvon believes everyone can benefit from the transformative power of creative writing. It hosts residential, online and community-based writing courses and events, embracing over 6,000 people each year, tutored by some of the most respected writers in the UK today. Find out more at arvon.orgStacey Halls is the UK author of The Familiars, The Foundling, and Mrs England, known for vivid period settings, propulsive plotting, and character-driven suspense; she outlines with index cards and drafts quickly before deep revision.Ruta Sepetys is a Lithuanian-American novelist (Between Shades of Gray, Salt to the Sea) whose work uncovers suppressed histories with YA-accessible clarity; she emphasizes collaboration, ethical research, and a clear “why” for every project. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers' Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you're enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

Send us a textWelcome, everyone to part one of my interview with retired Central Florida Sheriff's Deputy Michael Dilks. The conclusion of this interview will air next Sunday!Mike is a retired Deputy Sheriff and Police Officer with 23 years of experience in patrol, investigations, and undercover narcotics. Mike was a member of SWAT, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force, the DEA Narcotics Task Force and supervised a Street Crimes Unit. Prior to his law enforcement career, Mike served three years in the United States Army as an Airborne Infantryman.Michael is the mastermind behind the highly successful and controversial meme page @CopvilleOG and the Lock'd Up with Copville Podcast.  Michael is also the co-host and co-owner of The Anti-Hero Broadcast.Mike was involved in and was 100% invested in his career, especially doing undercover narcotics work, and it cost him his marriage and sobriety. Mike's personal rock bottom, which included being the focus of an FBI investigation and his best friend and the sheriff turning his back on him. He rose above all of it and has turned his energy into a successful podcast and creative content career.Please enjoy this eye-opening and informative interview with someone who has risen from the ashes.  In today's episode, we discuss:·      Where and how he got interested in law enforcement. ·      His time in the United States Army.·      Being on the SWAT team.·      Being assigned to a DEA task force.·      Going undercover as a narcotics officer.·      Having a dirty cop as a boss. ·      Being married to the job, not his wife.·      Hitting rock bottom, abusing alcohol, and a negative lifestyle.·      Being accused of working with drug dealers!·      Being the focus of an FBI investigation and having his phone tapped.·      The sheriff, also his best friend, turned his back on him. All of this and more on today's episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.Connect with Michael Dilks:Instagram: @copvilleogPodcast Instagram: @the_antihero_podcast Website: www.copvilleog.com YouTube:   / @copvilleog  Visit the Cops & Writers Website!Support the show

Send us a textWhat if your anxiety, triggers, or self-doubt aren't flaws—but your inner child simply asking to feel safe?Discover how EFT tapping gently heals old wounds and rewires your nervous system with Niko Ana Jeanne, author of Healing the Inner Child with EFT Tapping: A Step-by-Step Guide to Emotional Freedom and Reparenting Yourself, and her powerful four-step Inner Child Revolution process.In this heartfelt conversation with host Caryl Westmore, we explore how childhood experiences live in the body, why emotional triggers are often “younger parts” asking for safety, and how EFT tapping helps regulate the nervous system to create lasting emotional freedom.Together we talk about:✨ inner child healing and conscious reparenting✨ tapping for anxiety, trauma, and overwhelm✨ releasing old survival patterns✨ why creative blocks and visibility fears often start in childhood✨ practical tools you can use right awayCONNECT WITH NIKO ANA JEANNE:  https://nikoanajeanne.com/EFT SeriesThis episode is part of our ongoing EFT Tapping Series, where Caryl interviews leading practitioners, authors, and healers sharing real stories and practical tools for transformation.Many guests also contribute to the global collaborative book Tap into Your Best Life, inspiring EFT tapping stories of real-life healing and change—featuring a foreword by Karl Dawson, a preface by Dr. Peta Stapleton, and contributions from experts including Brad Yates and practitioners from around the world.Tap into Your Best Life Join the Advanced Reader Team for Tap into Your Best LifeJOIN THE ADVANCED REVIEW TEAM: #EFTTapping#EmotionalFreedomTechnique#InnerChildHealing#Reparenting#TraumaHealing#NervousSystemHealing#AnxietyRelief#SelfHealing#EnergyPsychology#PersonalGrowth#TapIntoYourBestLife#BestLifePublishing#CarylWestmore#HealingJourney#wellnesstools ✅ Recommended - get my FREE ChatGPT AI Prompt Cheat Sheet for Authors ✅ Connect with Caryl Westmore https://www.carylwestmore.com !✅ Connect with Caryl Westmore on social media! https://www.facebook.com/carylwestmoreauthorhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/bookinsideyouhttps://twitter.com/carylwestmoreukShow Sponsors: Books for Writers by Caryl Westmore: ChatGPT AI Book Writing Formula , Steps to Prompt, Write, Publish, a Non-fiction Client-Attraction Book, 10-100x faster and easier assisted by AI.

ERIC JAMES STONE Author and Writers of the Future Winner – Biography Eric James Stone is a past Nebula Award winner, Hugo Award nominee, Writers of the Future Contest winner, and two-time finalist for the Association for Mormon Letters Awards. Over sixty of his stories have been published in venues such as Year's Best SF, Analog Science Fiction and Fact, and Nature. His science fiction thriller Unforgettable, published by Baen Books, has been optioned by Hollywood multiple times. The son of an immigrant from Argentina, Eric grew up bilingual and spent much of his childhood living in Latin America. He also lived for five years in England and became trilingual while serving a two-year mission for his church in Italy. After majoring in political science at BYU (where he sang in the Russian Choir for two years), he earned a law degree from Baylor. He did political work in Washington, D.C., for several years before shifting career tracks to become a web developer. After giving up on creative writing for over a decade, in 2002 he started writing fiction again. In 2007 Eric got laid off from his day job just in time to go to the Odyssey Writing Workshop. He has since found a new day job and now works as a systems administrator and programmer. From 2009 to 2015 Eric was an assistant editor for Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. Eric lives in Utah with his wife, Darci, who is an award-winning author herself, in addition to being a high school science teacher and programmer. They have two children. EricJamesStone.com Darci graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Physics Teaching and a minor in Cultural Anthropology. Her story in Writers of the Future Volume 34 (earning her the grand prize!) was strongly influenced by both her love of science and her love of world cultures. Darci lived at a boarding school in Singapore while attending the United World College of Southeast Asia on scholarship. She also taught English in Russia, and has participated in humanitarian aid projects in India and Cambodia. Darci currently teaches high school physics in American Fork Utah and is a web developer for online educational software. She married into the world of speculative fiction when she said “yes” to Nebula Award Winner, Eric James Stone. While dating, she began attending his weekly writing group. After a while she realized, “I could do that,” and started working on a story of her own. Darci has always enjoyed the mix of science and adventure found in the works of Michael Crichton. This award proves once and for all that Eric “married up” because he only took second place in his quarter for Writer's of the Future Volume 21, while Darci managed to take first as well as winning the grand prize of Golden Brush Award and $5,000! David A. Elsensohn lives for coaxing language into pleasing arrangements and for well-crafted sandwiches. His work can be found in various secretive places online and in print. His story "Trading Ghosts" was a published winner in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 36. His story "Vanni's Choice" was a winner of the NeoVerse Short Story Writing Competition, and published in Threads: A NeoVerse Anthology. While working on several novels in the hopes that one of them will complete itself, he accidentally became the editor of the Missed-Fits anthology from Calendar of Fools. Terminally distracted, he lives in the desert east of Los Angeles with an inspirational wife and the ghost of a curmudgeonly black cat. Find out more at: DavidElsensohn.com

Mike Sheffield is a 35-year Senior Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman Space Systems and a former U.S. Air Force Electronic Warfare Specialist. A passionate sci-fi fan, Mike joined the Heinlein Society in 2001, chaired its blood drive committee until 2010, has led the scholarship committee since 2012, served on the board from 2006–2014, and was the fourth Chair and President for its final four years. He discusses his love for science fiction, the origins of Heinlein-inspired blood drives at conventions (starting 1999 NASFiC), participation tips, the Heinlein for Heroes veteran book program, connections between L. Ron Hubbard and Robert A. Heinlein, thoughts on Final Blackout and Battlefield Earth, his favorite Heinlein works, the Writers of the Future legacy, and a message for global listeners.

On today's program, WaterStone is being sued by a client who claims that the donor-advised fund cut him off from his family's account. The results of this case could have larger implications for the rights of donors and other donor advised funds. We'll have details. Also, the ‘He Gets Us' Campaign is back for the 2026 Super Bowl—but under new leadership, this year's ad is less political, more personal. We'll take a look. And, a new study shows that American donors think they're a whole lot more generous than they actually are. Plus, the Christian Broadcasting Network announced job cuts this week as part of a larger ‘workforce realignment.' But first, The president of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod was arrested last week for child pornography.  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, Jessica Eturralde, Bob Smietana, Isaac Wood, Marci Seither, Stacey Horton, Makella Knowles, and Christina Darnell.

Mike Sheffield is a 35-year Senior Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman Space Systems and a former U.S. Air Force Electronic Warfare Specialist. A passionate sci-fi fan, Mike joined the Heinlein Society in 2001, chaired its blood drive committee until 2010, has led the scholarship committee since 2012, served on the board from 2006–2014, and was the fourth Chair and President for its final four years. He discusses his love for science fiction, the origins of Heinlein-inspired blood drives at conventions (starting 1999 NASFiC), participation tips, the Heinlein for Heroes veteran book program, connections between L. Ron Hubbard and Robert A. Heinlein, thoughts on Final Blackout and Battlefield Earth, his favorite Heinlein works, the Writers of the Future legacy, and a message for global listeners.

Nancy Jooyoun Kim is the New York Times bestselling author of What We Kept to Ourselves and The Last Story of Mina Lee, a Reese's Book Club pick. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she now lives in the Bay Area and teaches at the University of San Francisco.Our conversation calls in joy, art, ancestors, and a new world...the medicine we all need in this moment.Nancy websiteLeah website

Joining me for this episode is #1 New York Times bestselling author James Rollins. We have a chat about his latest stand-alone thriller, Trust No One. This electrifying thriller centers around a group of British university students, who are falsely accused of killing their professor. Follow the students across Europe, trying to clear their name, while decoding an ancient text filled with secrets that could change humankind forever. Learn how the author writes such thrilling novels, whether part of The Sigma Force Series or as a stand-alone novel. Enjoy!EPISODE NOTES: James Rollins - Trust No OneTradeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/animal-writes-animal-writers-and-best-selling-authors-pets-animals--6666984/support.

Victor Hugo was an irredeemable womaniser who fought for the poor, hated the English, and wrote some of the greatest works of literature of the 19th century.

This week we Byron's back, Kelly is sick, & we process living, dying, and ritual, reviewing the Adams family's 'Mother of Flies'.  Want more? Join the Frightday Society, at http://thefrightdaysociety.org As a Society Member, 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 Yawns Produced by Byron McKoy Follow us in the shadows at the following places:  @byronmckoy @kellyfrightday @frightday This is an Audio Wool Original.

Free Video Tutorial for ScreenwritingIn this episode of The Storyteller's Mission, Zena explores a foundational principle of character development: why a character's wound isn't their flaw — the lie they believe is. This episode is especially for writers, storytellers, and worldview-driven creatives working with trauma, redemption, and transformation arcs.In great storytelling, a character's problem isn't just what happened to them. It's the lie they believe because of it. And that distinction — between wound and lie — often determines whether a story actually moves forward or stays emotionally stuck.In this episode, we explore:Why wounds hurt, but lies imprisonHow false beliefs shape character behavior, identity, and plotWhy acknowledging trauma is not the same thing as redemptionWhat great stories like Good Will Hunting, Frozen, Jane Eyre, and The Lord of the Rings get right about character transformationHow confronting the lie — not just naming the wound — creates real narrative changeThis is essential viewing for:Fiction writersScreenwritersStorytellersFaith-adjacent creativesWriters working with trauma, flaws, and redemption arcsIf you want to write characters who don't just suffer — but transform — this episode will help you clarify the difference between what happened and what it meant.

José and Dion read "Entrance" by Rainer Maria Rilke and then from José's new book Haunt Me. José Enrique Medina earned his BA in English from Cornell University. His book Haunt Me won the 2025 Rattle Chapbook Prize. His second book, Man Without a Skirt, was selected by Ellen Bass as the runner-up for the 2025 Two Sylvias Press Chapbook Prize. His work has appeared in USA Today Hispanic Living Magazine, Best Microfiction 2019, The Los Angeles Review, Redivider, and other publications. He is a VONA fellow and the founder of the Chickens & Poetry Residency for Writers. You can connect with him on Instagram @MedinaWrites or at www.MedinaWrites.com.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Sarah Vacchiano's journey from querying 100 agents to publishing with one of the industry's top houses is a story of patience, "luck," and the power of building genuine relationships.In this episode, Sarah shares the behind-the-scenes details of her publishing journey, including how a chance reconnection with an editor led to her debut novel's acquisition and publication. You'll discover how her strategic persistence, timing, and a bit of serendipity turned a decade-long work into a real-life success story that defies typical timelines.We break down:The unconventional path from manuscript to publication, including querying, rejection, and a six-year pauseHow the universe conspired through a friend's recommendation to seal her deal with Little A (an imprint of Amazon)The magic of editorial collaboration, with insights into the intensive editing processThe importance of vulnerability and personal growth reflected in her characters and storyWhy embracing failure and loss as part of growth unlocks opportunities we never imaginedThis episode is perfect for aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating the unpredictable road to success. Sarah's story proves that sometimes, the biggest wins happen when you least expect them.READY TO FINALLY BE IN THAT "CAN'T STOP WRITING" FLOW?Grab the free nonfiction or memoir kickstart that's helped hundreds of authors get out of their heads and into the flow: 

When talking to authors about their goals for 2026, a theme emerged. So many of them said some version of: “I want to feel more confident.” For some, they wanted to believe they were good at writing (despite having books published by major publishers!) For others, it was confidence in their ability to sell their next book and build a career as a novelist. Since those conversations, I've been thinking a lot about confidence, and I've found three distinct types of confidence – each with different benefits and methods for improving them. Today, I'm sharing that framework with you. *** There are a limited number of private coaching spots available for the first half of 2026. Applications are open now and close on February 20th. Learn more about coaching OR access the application directly here. *** Looking for even more author advice and notifications about upcoming workshops? Sign up for my twice-monthly newsletter, Real Talk for Writers, by clicking here. DM me on Instagram & let me know what you thought of this episode!

John and Craig ask, what makes a useful comp? Writers often use comparisons when pitching or discussing projects, but what separates good comps from bad comps, why do we use them, and when do comps hurt more than they help? Basically, it's The Studio meets My Dinner with Andre. We also follow up on orality and "film by" credits, answer listener questions on getting AI feedback and attaching an actor to a microbudget feature, plus bring you another installment of John Recently Learned. In our bonus segment for premium members, John and Craig are having weird issues with their email servers and need your help! Links: The Sheep Detectives trailer The Great Gazoo Ben Turpin The Party (1968) Fulla Regrets on Instagram Kitty Carlisle Bobbie Wygant interviews Jodie Foster by Jack Plotnick on Instagram Catherine O'Hara dies via Variety Get your copy of the Scriptnotes book! Get a Scriptnotes T-shirt! Check out the Inneresting Newsletter Become a Scriptnotes Premium member, or gift a subscription Subscribe to Scriptnotes on YouTube Scriptnotes on Instagram John August on Bluesky and Instagram Outro by Pete White (send us yours!) Scriptnotes is produced by Drew Marquardt and edited by Matthew Chilelli. Email us at ask@johnaugust.com You can download the episode here.  

Alex Poppe joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about working in conflict zones, living abroad and negotiating cultural differences, teaching in northern Iraq, youth and female resilience, pursuing something elusive, using fiction techniques for creative nonfiction and essays, not standing on a soapbox in memoir, moving from the personal to the universal, safe domesticity vs. unpredictable intensity, feeling haunted, the tension between wanting to settle down and set roots but feeling desperate to travel, and her love letter to teaching the new memoir-in-essay Breakfast Wine: A Memoir of Chasing an Unconventional Life and Finding a Way Home.   Info/Registration for Ronit's 10-Week Memoir Class Memoir Writing: Finding Your Story https://www.pce.uw.edu/courses/memoir-writing-finding-your-story   Also in this episode: -field reporting -theTulsa Remote Program  -starting chapters in scene and dialogue Books mentioned in this episode  -Woman in Berlin by Anonymous -The Line Becomes a River: Dispatches from The Border by Francisco Cantú -Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett -The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood -No Good Men Among the Living by Anand Gopal -The Underground Girls of Kabul by Jenny Nordberg  -The Natashas:The Horrific Inside Story of Slavery, Rape, and Murder in the Global Sex Trade by Victor Malarek -Notebooks on a Foreign Country: An American Abroad in a Post-American World by Suzy Hansen  -Emergency Sex and Other Desperate Measures: A True Story from Hell on Earth by Heidi Postlewait, Kenneth Cain and Andrew Thomson   Having worked in conflict zones such as Iraq, the West Bank, and Ukraine, Alex Poppe writes about fierce and funny women rebuilding their lives in the wake of violence. She is the award-winning author of four works of literary fiction. Breakfast Wine, her memoir-in-essay of her near decade teaching and volunteering in northern Iraq, celebrates women and youth resilience, post-conflict. Most recently, she served as the strategic communications advisor for a democracy and governance initiative at the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Alex continues to be awed by place, people, and their stories.    Connect with Alex: Website: www.alexpoppe.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallyalexpoppe/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex_poppe_author/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alex.poppe.16/ Get the book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/breakfast-wine-alex-poppe/22155518?ean=9781627205931 – 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

Richard Lange is the author of the story collections, Dead Boys and Sweet Nothing, and the novels, This Wicked World, Angel Baby, The Smack, Rovers, and Joe Hustle. He is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, the International Association of Crime Writers' Hammett Prize, The Short Story Dagger from Great Britain's Crime Writers Association, and the Rosenthal Family Foundation Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He lives in Los Angeles. Richard joins Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to talk about his most recent novel, Joe Hustle, and topics they touch on include avoiding backstory that pulls down a story, structure devices, not being a one-genre writer, finding your voice, rejections, road trip stories, naming characters after friends, and 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. We love to hear from our listeners. Email us at writersonwritingpodcast@gmail.com. (Recorded January 23, 2026) Host: Barbara DeMarco-Barrett Host: Marrie StoneMusic: Travis Barrett (Stream his music on Spotify, Apple Music, Etc.)

Google is at war with AI spam. Is your website in the crossfire? Join Brad Friedman and Jon Gillham as they chat about AI and your website and social media content. They dive into definitions of plagiarism, how AI detection tools work, and much more. Jon is the Founder / CEO of Originality.ai, they provide a complete toolset that helps Website Owners, Content Marketers, Writers and Publishers hit Publish with Integrity in the world of Generative AI as well as specializing in AI detection technology. He is also the Co-Founder of Motion Invest where they help you buy and sell content sites quickly. Jon has been involved in the SEO and Content Marketing world for over a decade. The Digital Slice Podcast is brought to you by Magai. Up your AI game at https://friedmansocialmedia.com/magai And, if it's your first time purchasing, use BRAD30 at checkout to get 30% off your first 3 months. Visit thedigitalslicepodcast.com for complete show notes of every podcast episode.

When writer Rachel Eliza Griffiths married Salman Rushdie in 2021, she expected her wedding  day to be joyful. But the joy was invaded by tragedy, when she got the news her best friend had died. Eleven months later, Rushdie was stabbed and nearly killed onstage. Griffiths describes that year in her new memoir, ‘The Flower Bearers.'Also, we hear from Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes, writer of ‘In the Heights,' ‘Water by the Spoonful,' and the memoir ‘My Broken Language.'  Her new novel, ‘The White Hot,' tells the story of a young mother who buys a one-way bus ticket and leaves her 10 year-old daughter behind. Plus, film critic Justin Chang reviews ‘Sound of Falling,' which is shortlisted for an Oscar for Best International Feature.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy