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What if the reason you haven't written your novel has nothing to do with how many hours are in your day?"I don't have time to write" might be the most common excuse that stops aspiring authors before they even start. But here's what I've learned after working with hundreds of writers… It's not about how much time you have that matters. It's about what you do with your limited time that counts.In this episode, you'll hear from three busy writers who had every legitimate reason to put their writing dreams on hold—yet didn't. Meet Maddie, a mom of four kids aged one to six who wrote her first draft while juggling pregnancy, a newborn, and a copywriting career. Rhonda, a clinical pharmacist who transitioned from competing in 14-hour triathlons to writing an 80,000-word manuscript. And Mark, a former college administrator, worried it was too late in life to learn how to write a novel. None of them found magical extra hours in their day. Instead, they discovered something far more powerful: how to make their limited writing time more effective.In this episode, you'll learn:[03:00] How a mom of four young children completed her first draft in just six months of actual writing time, including taking a year-long break for pregnancy and a newborn, without losing momentum[06:25] Why one debut author discovered that following a proven framework didn't create a cookie-cutter novel—it actually freed him to be more creative and original[09:35] The mindset shift that helped a 45-year-old clinical pharmacist transition from grueling 14-hour triathlons to completing her first 80,000-word novel[13:20] Why having limited writing time can actually make you a more effective writer, when you know exactly what to write in each sessionReady to stop using "no time" as your excuse? Join Maddie, Rhonda, Mark, and hundreds of other busy writers who've discovered that you don't need more hours—you need a better plan. Get on the waitlist for the next open enrollment of my Notes to Novel course and get my complete, step-by-step framework for writing a story that works. Don't miss your chance to turn your ideas into a finished draft you're proud of!
Deb Miller joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about how her memoir began as a family project, being surprised to have become an author, discovering and latching onto a framework, using an “e” structure, what we recognize during the process of writing, focusing on our behavior and patterns, leaning into generational shifts, the women's movement and breaking society's norms, connecting with readers on a personal level, innovative ways to market and launch a book, promoting a message not ourselves, becoming the hero of our own story, and her new memoir Forget the Fairy Tale & Find Your Happiness. Also in this episode: -finding a marketing hook -creating new relationships and working them -living your own fairy tale Books mentioned in this episode: -Wild by Cheryl Strayed -High Hopes: A Memoir by Anne Abel Deb Miller is the author of Forget the Fairy Tale & Find Your Happiness, a memoir that explores her personal journey toward self-reliance and strength, using the evolution of Disney princesses as a metaphor for her own transformation. A passionate advocate for personal empowerment, Deb's writing encourages readers to question societal expectations and discover their own path to happiness.Having visited nearly 50 countries as a corporate executive, she is now on a mission to visit all of our national parks. A part-time marketing professor, Dr. Miller lives in Redmond, Washington, and can be found outside landscaping, walking her energetic Auggie, or hanging out with her three kids and grandchildren. Degrees: BS Purdue University, MBA University of Dayton, DBA City University of Seattle. Also a CPA. She is former VP of marketing and communication for several Fortune 500 companies. Connect with Deb: Website: https://forgetthefairytale.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-deb-miller-acc/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forget_the_fairy_tale/ Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Forget-Fairytale-Find-Your-Happiness/dp/1647429226/ Simon and Schuster: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Forget-the-Fairy-Tale-and-Find-Your-Happiness/Deb-Miller/9781647429225 – 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
Saturday Night Live head writers Alison Gates, Streeter Seidell and Kent Sublette join Greg Iwinski to talk about the process of writing for a different host every week, how giving notes to writers differs from giving notes to the cast, what writing for SNL teaches you about rejection, and much more. Alison Gates, Streeter Seidell and Kent Sublette are the current head writers of Saturday Night Live. Kent has been a head writer for the show since 2016, and Alison and Streeter have been head writers since 2022. Greg Iwinski is an Emmy-winning comedy writer whose credits include Last Week Tonight, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Game Theory with Bomani Jones. --- Read shownotes, transcripts, and other member interviews: wgaeast.org/onwriting Follow the Guild on social media: @WGAEast OnWriting is a production of the Writers Guild of America East. The show is produced by WGA East staff members Jason Gordon, Tiana Timmerberg, and Molly Beer. Production, editing, and mix by Giulia Hjort. Original music is by Taylor Bradshaw. Artwork is designed by Molly Beer.
Doubt is a common part of the creative process… but it doesn't need to derail forward momentum or feel miserable. Whether doubt shows up for you in the brainstorming, outlining, drafting, or revision process (or all of them!), today's episode will help you extract useful information from that doubt and get back into the flow of your novel. *** 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 schedule your free enrollment call, 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!
This week Danielle and Kristine learn how to survive this week's listener suggestion: a bad landlord!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Kate Gies joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about the lasting effects of trauma on the body and mind, taking care of ourselves while writing by remembering our purpose, allowing early drafts to be angry and raw and finding meaning later, body shame and body acceptance, coming of age later in life, weaving together a medical narrative, protecting ourselves from reinjury by focusing on the larger message, writing where the energy is, finding boundaries, practicing self-compassion, and her memoir It Must Be Beautiful to Be Finished: A Memoir of My Body. Also in this episode: -writing where the energy is -giving yourself time - writing in vignettes Books mentioned in this episode: Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealey The Two Kinds of Decay by Sarah Manguso Bluets by Maggie Nelson In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado The Sucide Index by Joan Wickersham Kate Gies is a writer and educator living in Toronto. She teaches creative nonfiction and expressive arts at George Brown College. Her fiction, non-fiction, and poetry have been published in The Malahat Review, The Humber Literary Review, Hobart, the Best Canadian Essays 2024 Anthology, and other places.She is the author of It Must Be Beautiful to Be Finished: A Memoir of My Body, which details her childhood medical experiences related to a missing ear. It was published by Simon & Schuster in February of 2025. Connect with Kate: Website: kategies.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katygies Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kategies.bsky.social Get the Book: US: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/It-Must-Be-Beautiful-to-Be-Finished/Kate-Gies/9781668051054 Get the Book: Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/Must-Be-Beautiful-Finished-Memoir/dp/1668051052 – 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
An acknowledged master of the short story form, Richard Bausch's work has appeared in The Atlantic Monthly, Esquire, Gentleman's Quarterly, Harper's, The Missouri Review, The New Yorker, Narrative, New Letters, Playboy, Ploughshares, and The Southern Review, and his stories have been widely anthologized, including The Best American Short Stories, O. Henry Prize Stories, and Pushcart Prize Stories, among others. He is the author of thirteen novels and ten collections of stories, including his new collection, The Fate of Others. Richard joins Barbara to talk about his path to writing fiction, various stories in the collection as well as titling stories, arranging stories in the book, the difference between writing novels and stories, 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 on June 27, 2025) Host: Barbara DeMarco-Barrett Host: Marrie Stone Music: Travis Barrett (Stream his music on Spotify, Apple Music, Etc.)
A chat with Julie Bogart to discover surprising tips for homeschool writing help for reluctant writers—and reclaim your voice along the way. The post How to Help Reluctant Writers: Julie Bogart on Homeschool Writing appeared first on Capturing the Charmed Life.
This week, I deviated a bit from my theme of finding your reader and message to talk about a topic that affects us as writers in a broad way—the use of AI in our writing.In this episode, I explain my three questions that I ask myself when considering the use of AI in my writing:* Is my use of AI God-honoring?* Is my use of AI causing my God-given creativity or other skills to atrophy from lack of use?* Am I valuing expediency over the longer writing process in a way that short-changes the end result and my own participation in that process?I also break them down and share some of the ways that I have decided not to use AI, some of the ways I currently do, and where I feel the area is a little grey.I don't claim to be an authority on this topic or have all the answers, but this episode gives you a peek into my own thought process as I consider different ways to use or not use this new technology.(PS - I did not use AI to write these show notes!)Resources mentioned:Episode 105Sign up for Pen Points, my weekly email for Christian writersThe 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
In the summer of '75 it was becoming clear that something special was happening in Boston. A rookie centerfielder was having a season for the ages. Fred Lynn would lead the Sox to the pennant behind one of the greatest, if not THE greatest rookie season in baseball history. The first year sensation would become the first player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season. It culminated in a World Series that 50 years later is considered to be one of the all-time classics with the Sox and the Reds providing thrill after thrill that saw reach a 7th game after Carlton Fisk's legendary home run over the Monster and off the Pole in left to win Game 6. It was widely considered the sports story of the year with future Hall of Fame players throughout both rosters. The star power of Rose, Rice, Yaz, Morgan, Fisk and Perez along with Tiant, Lynn, Concepcion, Foster, and Griffey was off the charts… and the Big Red Machine finally prevailed in that game 7 to win the Series. That was one to remember… the other big story was one we'd like to forget… The Match Race between Foolish Pleasure and the great filly, Ruffian was the talk of the horse racing world and the excitement at Belmont Park was similar to when Secretariat was going for the triple crown at the same track two years earlier… After a blistering 1/4 mile, Ruffian had just taken the lead by a neck over the Kentucky Derby winner… in fact, that first 1/2 mile was the only time in Ruffians career she ever trailed in a race… she was running with the boys and holding her own… when she suffered a catastrophic leg injury breaking two bones in her right leg. The great horse continued to run for a bit even on the broken leg as her jockey Jacinto Vasquez tried to bring her to a stop. The jubilant atmosphere came to a sudden stop at the race track and nationwide as the TV audience realized what had just taken place… there was no way to describe it, yet that was the job of Dave Johnson, the track announcer at Belmont… Even he was at a loss for words as the ambulance made its way on to the track to tend to the fallen horse… she would be carted away, and after multiple attempts to save her, the great Ruffian was finally put to rest. Johnson was off the next two days, but when he returned to work on Wednesday he said there was one word that described everything… “Crying” Everyone was crying. Writers, trainers, guys in the stall… women in the offices… everywhere you went, people were at a loss… In a career that would span over 50 years, it was as tough a day as Johnson can recall. Now 84, the legendary Horse Racing announcer is still as energetic and exuberant when it comes to the sport he loves. On the Past Our Prime podcast, Johnson shares inside details on that horrific July day when Ruffian rode for the final fatal time… He talks about how the atmosphere at the track was electric and how he thought Ruffian would remain undefeated after beating Foolish Pleasure… but it didn't happen the way anybody thought it would. Johnson also reflects on the recent passing of his good friend, D. Wayne Lukas and gives personal insights to what made him such a great trainer… and an even better person. The legendary trainer was 89 years old when he died June 28th… just 16 days after the final horse he trained won a race… Johnson claims his work ethic was second to none and that Lukas was everything that was good about the sport. “And down the stretch they come!!!”… A legendary call from a legendary broadcaster talking about a legendary horse and a legendary trainer… sounds like a legendary show… and it is… The Past Our Prime podcast with Dave Johnson… listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcomeToday's guest is Elle Nash, author of Animals Eat Each Other, Nudes, Gag Reflex, and Deliver Me. In this episode, Elle shares her experiences with the book publishing, including getting an agent, going on submission, receiving rejections, and ultimately landing a deal with an independent press. Elle also gets into the arbitrary nature of the publishing industry, the importance of managing expectations, and the value of staying true to one's artistic vision. Follow Elle on Instagram @saderotic.The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminarLand Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writingworkshops.com/products/land-big-bylines-by-writing-for-columns-zoom-seminarThe Multi-Passionate Writer's Life: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocakHow to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarCreating Your Podcast: https://www.roadmapwriters.com/products/creating-your-podcast-0Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshop
Police In Milwaukee The Violent Crime No One Talks About. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, known affectionately as “Cream City,” “Brew City,” and “The City of Festivals”, holds a cherished place in American culture. Many still associate Milwaukee with the hit sitcom "Laverne & Shirley", set in a 1950s brewery where two spirited friends tackled life's ups and downs. But beyond the nostalgia and vibrant social scene lies a darker reality, one that rarely makes headlines: the violent crime in Milwaukee no one talks about. This episode of The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast now streaming for free on their website, in addition to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and most major social podcast platforms. “People picture the festivals, the lakefront, and maybe a Harley-Davidson roaring down the road,” says Patrick O'Donnell, a retired Milwaukee Police Sergeant turned author and podcaster. “But the violent crime? That doesn't make the postcards.” The episode is also promoted across their Facebook , Instagram , LinkedIn , Medium and other social media platforms. Indeed, Milwaukee's crime statistics tell a sobering story. Once ranked among the ten most dangerous large cities in the U.S. in 2001 and 2007, Milwaukee continues to grapple with high rates of homicide, robbery, and aggravated assault. In 2015 alone, 146 people were murdered, a chilling figure that few outside the city are aware of. Police In Milwaukee The Violent Crime No One Talks About. Look for supporting stories about this and much more from Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast in platforms like Medium , Blogspot and Linkedin . Patrick O'Donnell knows these streets well. Born to Irish immigrant parents in Chicago, O'Donnell served for 25 years in the Milwaukee Police Department. “I've been on the scene of everything you can imagine, from homicides to sexual assaults and robberies,” he shares. “When I was still in field training, I arrested a suspect at gunpoint during a stabbing investigation. That one turned into a death investigation.” Available for free on their website and streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms Today, O'Donnell channels his experience into his "Cops and Writers" brand. Which includes his "Cops and Writers Podcast", available on Apple, Spotify, and his official website, offers crime writers a behind-the-scenes look at police work. He interviews cops, civilian experts, and authors, blending technical detail with the kind of cop humor that can only come from years on the job. “I want crime writers to get it right,” O'Donnell says. “And I want listeners to understand what really happens behind the badge.” The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast episode is available for free on their website , Apple Podcasts , Spotify and most major podcast platforms. O'Donnell has authored ten books, with "The Good Collar" his latest and he runs a Facebook group with over 7,500 members. His reach extends across social media, from Facebook to Instagram, where he connects with fans, writers, and fellow officers. “Social media gives us a way to shine a light on the parts of policing that the news doesn't cover,” he explains. Police In Milwaukee The Violent Crime No One Talks About. You can listen to his stories and interview on our website for free in addition to platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and other major podcast platforms. The "Cops and Writers Podcast" isn't just about crime statistics; it's about the stories behind the numbers. O'Donnell's guests open up about the pressures and triumphs of life in uniform. “It's the human side of policing that no one talks about,” O'Donnell says. While Milwaukee is home to major corporations like Harley-Davidson, Rockwell Automation, and Johnson Controls, and boasts a rich cultural and industrial history, violent crime remains a challenge. “Milwaukee is a great city, but like any big city, it has its struggles,” O'Donnell reflects. “That's the reality behind the social media snapshots.” The full podcast episode is streaming now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For those looking to understand Milwaukee beyond its breweries and festivals, O'Donnell's work provides an unflinching look at the violent crime no one talks about. His books, podcast, and social media channels offer an authentic voice in a conversation often overshadowed by lighter headlines. You can follow Patrick O'Donnell's journey on his official website, join his Facebook group, or tune in to his podcast "Cops and Writers" or listen to the interview with him as a free Podcast on The Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or most places where you get your podcasts. His work is a reminder that behind every statistic is a story, and often, a hero who's lived it. Police In Milwaukee The Violent Crime No One Talks About. Time is running out to secure the Medicare coverage you deserve! Whether you're enrolling for the first time or looking for a better plan, our experts help you compare options to get more benefits, lower costs, and keep your doctors, all for free! Visit LetHealthy.com , that's LetHealthy.com or call (866) 427-1225, (866) 427-1222 to learn more. You can help contribute money to make the Gunrunner Movie . The film that Hollywood won't touch. It is about a now Retired Police Officer that was shot 6 times while investigating Gunrunning. He died 3 times during Medical treatment and was resuscitated. You can join the fight by giving a monetary “gift” to help ensure the making of his film at agunrunnerfilm.com . Your golden years are supposed to be easy and worry free, at least in regards to finances. If you are over 70, you can turn your life insurance policy into cash. Visit LetSavings.com , LetSavings.com or call (866) 480-4252, (866) 480-4252, again that's (866) 480 4252 to see if you qualify. Learn useful tips and strategies to increase your Facebook Success with John Jay Wiley. Both free and paid content are available on this Patreon page . Get the latest news articles, without all the bias and spin, from the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast on Medium , which is free. Find a wide variety of great podcasts online at The Podcast Zone Facebook Page , look for the one with the bright green logo. Be sure to check out our website . Be sure to follow us on MeWe , X , Instagram , Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin and other social media platforms for the latest episodes and news. Background song Hurricane is used with permission from the band Dark Horse Flyer. You can contact John J. “Jay” Wiley by email at Jay@letradio.com , or learn more about him on their website . Police In Milwaukee The Violent Crime No One Talks About. Attributions Cops and Writers City of Milwaukee Police Milwaukee Wikipedia
Ever wondered what could happen when you say 'Sure, let's' one too many times? Dive into this episode as Rachel A. Fefer shares her unforgettable ancient RV misadventure—complete with her boyfriend's kids, his ex, and the bumpy roads of Louisiana. It's a real-life humorous storytelling journey packed with laughter, chaos, and relatable moments from female writers' experiences. If you love genuine, laugh-out-loud tales that capture the delightful messiness of life, you're in the right place! Our podcast features first-person stories, mostly by women, that explore social mishaps, life's quirks, and the everyday adventures that connect us all. For more binge-worthy audio content from a female perspective, subscribe to my YouTube channel. Plus, connect with me on social media @KrisNarrates or @kriskeppeler for exclusive behind-the-scenes extras and opportunities to share your own stories. Interested in turning your book into an audiobook or need standout voiceover work? Visit my website, www.kriskeppeler.com, for audiobook production services, voice acting, and to sign up for my newsletter featuring top podcast episodes and good news from around the world. Tune in, laugh along, and celebrate the real-life adventures of female writers!
Steve and Tananarive are BACK after disappearing into directing their first film! THE KEEPER wrapped last week, and they share their experiences as novelists turned screenwriters turned directors, stories from the set, and how YOU can direct your own film with only an iPhone and a skeleton crew. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) Join Tananarive's mailing list at https://tananarivelist.com Join Steve's mailing list at https://stevenbarneslist.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if uncertainty wasn't something to fear, but your greatest creative ally?Dr. Margaret Heffernan—author, entrepreneur, and TED speaker—on how artists and writers thrive in chaotic times. We also talk about embracing the unknown, navigating AI-driven anxiety, and staying creatively resilient in a world that rewards certainty.We discuss:Margaret's early creative life and career across TV, tech & writingWhat artists can teach us about navigating uncertaintyWhy AI can't replicate the human imaginationHow writers manage doubt, income & purposeThe danger of over-planning and the value of wanderingLessons from writing Embracing Uncertainty under deadlineMaking peace with the chapter that always fights backThe creative power of soft focus & soaking up the world About Margaret HeffernanMargaret Heffernan is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and former BBC producer. She has written seven books, including Willful Blindness—named one of the most important business books of the decade by the Financial Times—and her latest, Embracing Uncertainty. Her TED Talks have over 15 million views, and she writes regularly for the Financial Times and BBC Radio 4. She is Professor of Practice at the University of Bath and mentors leaders around the world.Resources and Links:
Magic: The Gathering Adaptation Gets Writers, The Stand Adaptation Gets Director, Jack Black Joins Tony Hawk Games, Yesteryear Adaptation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Send us a text“Ready to fast-track your book-writing dreams with ChatGPT—without losing your authentic voice? Doing something different in today's episode, because I'll walk you step-by-step through my proven AI Book Writing Formula—perfectly tailored for coaches, therapists, and heart-centered entrepreneurs eager to attract ideal clients with a nonfiction or self-help book. To watch this in action, I suggest you head over and watch the podcast on YouTube where I'm creating an AI Book Writing Playlist. But even on audio, I'm sure it's helpful. I'll take you through the proven 9 steps to go from idea to holding the finished book in your hands. And how to do it AI assisted with ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini and other AI tools. Stay to the end to get my free prompt Author Cheat Sheet. Watch me demonstrate how easy it is to use powerful ChatGPT prompts to write your book faster, smarter, and with greater ease—while still sounding 100% like YOU. I'll show you how to become a true Prompt Ninja: creatively collaborating with AI without losing your authentic voice. What You'll Learn:✅ How to go from idea to published book with ChatGPT as your co-author✅ How to craft a magnetic title, hook, and outline✅ Why now is the BEST time to write your book✅ Real prompts you can use right away✅ The mindset shift to write with confidence and clarity
What if the reason you're stuck on your novel isn't about talent or creativity, but simply a missing piece of the puzzle that could change everything?Every writer knows that soul-crushing feeling of being completely stuck. Not just procrastinating or battling writer's block, but that specific paralysis where you love your story idea, want to write, but have absolutely no idea how to move forward. In this episode, you'll hear from three writers who faced this exact challenge in very different ways. Kelsey wrote 11,000 words of an adult fantasy novel before hitting a wall with no idea what should happen next. Liya spent eight years starting and stopping the same young adult series, never making it past the first few chapters. And Danyel loved her idea, but kept running into structural problems she couldn't solve. What they discovered transformed not just their current projects, but their entire approach to storytelling—and their breakthroughs reveal exactly what might be missing from your own writing process.In this episode, you'll learn:[05:05] The surprising way that reducing from two point-of-view characters to one solved major structural problems and created more mystery and page-turning tension in a thriller[08:00] Why having a flexible outline is like "someone turning on the lights and handing you a map"—and how it can make writing feel fun and exciting again instead of wandering in the dark[11:05] How understanding the crucial difference between scenes and chapters unlocked eight years of frustration for one writer and completely transformed her approach to story structure[14:15] Why being stuck isn't about lacking talent—it's simply an indication that you're missing a foundational piece of your storyIf you're ready for your breakthrough moment—and want my complete, step-by-step framework for writing a story that works—join the waitlist for the next open enrollment of my Notes to Novel course. Don't miss your chance to turn your ideas into a finished draft you're proud of!
"I adore the spirit of Rome" - Michelle Johnston, In the Shadow of a Cypress - An Italian AdventureWelcome to Episode #115:More and more I realise there is just something about Italy. This podcast is a culmination of an eventful solo journey in Italy and Paris, and the culmination of the days wandering around Italia has me feeling very open to the beauty of the day and those last precious moments in Rome…Enjoy xFind all Shownotes at michellejohnston.lifeMy book: In the Shadow of a Cypress - An Italian Adventure Book Link for MichelleJohnston.life© 2025 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and lifeMusic Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025Support the show
Victor reports from the NHL Draft in Los Angeles. Hear his interviews with prospect experts Derek Neumeier, Brock Otten, Cam Robinson, Anthony Donati, Russ Cohen, and Shane Malloy. The episode also includes scrum interviews of Simon Wang, Jake O'Brien, Porter Martone, Lynden Lakovic, and Cullen Potter. Other draftees discussed include Radim Mrtka, Jackson Smith, Roger McQueen, Braeden Cootes, Blake Fiddler, Peyton Kettles, Max Pscenika, Cameron Schmidt, Brady Martin, Jack Nesbitt, Benjamin Kindel, Malcolm Spence, Victor Eklund, Conrad Fondrk, and Ben Kevan Have a listen! Our show is part of the Dobber Podcast Network and sponsored by Fantrax.com. Email fantasyhockeylife@gmail.com and ask to join our free discord. Join our Patreon at Patreon.com/fantasyhockeylife for rankings, bonus podcasts, in-depth prospect reports with video, show notes and more. Check out our YouTube for more prospect videos at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPYVXp3foOcvh7344fjKmA. Listen and subscribe wherever podcasts are posted - and give us 5 stars! We want to be your best place to talk about the game of dynasty fantasy hockey
Send us a textHannah and Laura are gluttons for punishment. They are back in "The Year of the Dresden," covering the seventh book in Jim Butcher's series, Dead Beat, which may or may not be a great book. To be determined. Laura also continues to gush about The Bloodsworn Saga, and Hannah shares about a teen show that she's bingeing and the current season of Taskmaster.*This episode contains SPOILERS for Dead Beat by Jim Butcher. Spoiler section begins at: 32 min 29 secs. ***CW for the episode: discussions of death, blood, gore, murder, weapons, racism, sexism, assaultBe sure to follow us online!On Wednesdays We Read Podcast – Welcome to OWWR PodBluesky: @owwrpodInstagram: @owwrpodMedia Mentions:Dead Beat by Jim Butcher The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne Cascadia board game The Pitt---HBO Max E.R.---HuluFreshwater by Akwaeke EmeziSchool Spirits---Paramount+ That Thing You Do---HuluTaskmaster---YouTube Support the showBe sure to follow OWWR Pod!www.owwrpod.com Twitter (updates only): @OwwrPodBlueSky: @OwwrPodTikTok: @OwwrPodInstagram: @owwrpodThreads: @OwwrPodHive: @owwrpodSend us an email at: owwrpod@gmail.comCheck out OWWR Patreon: patreon.com/owwrpodOr join OWWR Discord! We'd love to chat with you!You can follow Hannah at:Instagram: @brews.and.booksThreads: @brews.and.booksTikTok: @brews.and.booksYou can follow Laura at:Instagram: @goodbooksgreatgoatsBlueSky: @myyypod
Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Miranda Cowley Heller's father was a book editor; her grandfather edited Jack Kerouac and was friends with Hemingway. That legacy, while inspiring, left her frozen when it came to pursuing her own writing. Instead, she built a thriving career in publishing and TV, eventually heading up drama series at HBO. Then, in her 50s, she wrote the novel she'd been carrying around for years, The Paper Palace, which became a New York Times #1 bestseller and a Reese's Book Club pick. Now, she's returned to her first creative love—poetry—with a stunning new collection: The Deep Water Knows. “Poetry is almost like putting snapshots of your soul into the world,” she tells me. In this episode, Miranda gets real about the myth of getting wiser with age, the vulnerability of releasing creative work into the world, and why your voice is never too late to matter.
You care about the quality of your books, but where's the line between a commitment to excellence and the kind of perfectionism that holds you back? And how do you keep perfectionism from stealing your creative joy? On today's episode, I dive into the nuances of perfectionism – including the sneaky ways it can show up in your writing process. *** 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 schedule your free enrollment call, 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!
Ever wonder why 97% of aspiring authors never finish their books? The answer might surprise you.If you've been dreaming about writing a novel but find yourself starting and stopping, getting stuck in the middle, or just staring at a blank page wondering where to even begin, you're not alone.Here's what I've noticed after working with hundreds of writers: the ones who actually finish their novels aren't more talented or creative than you. They've just learned to navigate around five specific roadblocks that trap everyone else in an endless cycle of starting and stopping.In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly what those writing roadblocks are and how you can sidestep them to break free from the cycle that keeps so many writers trapped.This is what I talk about: [03:00] The planning trap that leaves writers lost in the "saggy middle" with no clue how to move forward (and why even a simple roadmap changes everything).[04:50] Why chasing the perfect first sentence is killing your momentum and what successful authors do instead when they sit down to write.[00:00] How consuming endless writing advice keeps you from actually writing and the one thing you need to focus on to finally make progress.[06:35] Why trying to write your novel completely alone makes everything ten times harder, and what kind of support actually helps you finish.[08:10] The fundamental difference between writers who finish and those who don't (and it's probably not what you're expecting).If you've been stuck in the start-and-stop cycle or wondering if you'll ever actually finish your novel, this episode reveals precisely how to join the small percentage of writers who actually make it to The End.
This week Danielle and Kristine learn how to survive this week's listener suggestion: Measles! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jennifer Pastiloff joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about getting out of our own way, practicing curiosity, feeling like we have a right to tell our stories and be creative, finding a way into our work, the yes and, tapping into other art forms, not throwing people under the bus, harnessing the mental space to write, accepting change as a necessary part of living, when “fine” is not fine, putting ourselves out there, sharing deeply, refusing to hide in shame, leaving her marriage, and her new book Proof of Life. Also in this episode: -genre schmenre -getting past the inner a*shole -when change feels like it will equal death Books mentioned in this episode: The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch Reading the Waves by Lidia Yuknavitch From Under the Truck: A Memoir by Josh Brolin Everyone at This Party Has Two Names by Brad Aaron Modlin Stolen focus by Johann Hari Fired Up by Anna Durand The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin Jennifer Pastiloff trots the globe as a public speaker and to host her retreats to Italy, as well as her one-of-a-kind workshops, which she has taught to thousands of people all over the world. The author of the popular Substack, also called Proof of Life, she teaches writing and creativity classes called Allow, and workshops called Shame Loss, when she isn't painting and selling her art. She has been featured on Good Morning America, and Katie Couric, and in New York magazine, People, Shape, Health magazine, and other media outlets for her authenticity and unique voice. She is deaf, reads lips, and mishears almost everything, but what she hears is usually funnier (at least she thinks so). The author of the national bestseller On Being Human, Pastiloff lives in Southern California with her son, Charlie Mel. Connect with Jen: Website: JenniferPastiloff.com Substack: https://proofoflifewithjen.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenpastiloff – 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
Matty Dalrymple talks with Timons Esaias about WARFARE FOR WRITERS, including how military history can serve as an invaluable resource for authors crafting stories that involve conflict, whether they are set in fantasy, science fiction, or historical periods. While warfare might seem intimidating to many writers, Esaias provides insights and guidance on how to incorporate elements of military history and strategy into fiction in a way that's engaging and informative. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/show-notes If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Timons Esaias is a satirist, writer and poet living in Pittsburgh. His works, ranging from literary to genre, have been published in twenty-two languages. He has been a finalist for the British Science Fiction Award, and he won the Winter Anthology Contest, the SFPA Poetry Contest, and the Asimov's Readers Award (twice). He is a recent Pushcart nominee and Intrepid Award winner for the story "To Do." He is widely deplored for using a pillow as a protagonist, and, in another story, Concord grape jelly packets as an antagonist. His poetry collection is Why Elephants No Longer Communicate in Greek. Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with ROCK PAPER SCISSORS; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with THE SENSE OF DEATH; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. Matty also writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage, and shares what she's learned on THE INDY AUTHOR PODCAST. She has written books on the business of short fiction and podcasting for authors; her articles have appeared in "Writer's Digest" magazine. She serves as the Campaigns Manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors.
Jennifer Lawler is my guest today. She's authored or coauthored more than 30 nonfiction books and nearly 20 novels, including the award-winning Dojo Wisdom series (Penguin). One of those titles — "Dojo Wisdom for Writers: 100 Simple Ways to Become a More Inspired, Successful, and Fearless Writer" — is now on my reading list.Jennifer is a prolific and versatile creative professional. She's written everything from fantasy and paranormal romance to martial arts guides and career how-tos. She also holds a Ph.D. in medieval English literature and a black belt in Taekwondo — which, as she explains, taught her lessons she still applies to writing.She's worked as a developmental editor for over 20 years, has been a literary agent, a magazine editor, and now runs Club Ed, an online school for editors. She's also taught editing and writing at universities and through professional programs across the U.S.If you're a writer or an editor who wants to grow, improve, and stay inspired, this conversation is for you.Here's what I asked her...00:00 – Intro03:10 – How did you start writing?05:56 – Where do your ideas come from?08:40 – Do you finish every project?11:28 – How do you write nonfiction?14:36 – Does a personal story make nonfiction unique?16:23 - Self-publishing or traditional publishing?19:59 – How did editing help you?23:18 – Do writers need editors?25:15 – Beta reader or editor?28:04 – When is a draft ready for an editor?31:13 – Have you ever worked with writers who were resistant to feedback? 36:10 – What should writers ask when hiring an editor?42:01 – Can AI replace editors?45:50 – Has book quality dropped?48:30 – Advice for aspiring writers?51:08 – What's in Dojo Wisdom?55:01 – How do you handle criticism?01:00:00 – Last questions 01:01:05 – Join Better WritersLinks- Jennifer's website - www.jenniferlawler.com- ClubEd - www.clubedfreelancers.com- Better Writers - www.fabiocerpelloni.com/privateSearch words (ignore)writing, editing, non-fiction, fiction, self-publishing, traditional publishing, writing feedback, AI in writing, martial arts, author advice
André Alexis was born in Trinidad and grew up in Canada. His novel, Fifteen Dogs, won the 2015 Scotiabank Giller Prize and the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. His internationally acclaimed debut, Childhood, won the Books in Canada First Novel Award, the Trillium Book Award, and was shortlisted for the Giller Prize and the Writers' Trust Fiction Prize. In 2017, he was awarded the Windham-Campbell Literature Prize for fiction. His new collection is Other Worlds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Scooter plays his cards from the newest Writers Super Helpful XL pack.Start a 7 day FREE trial of Sleep With Me Plus- The ultimate way to listen to show, based on how YOU listen! Get your Sleep With Me SleepPhones. Use "sleepwithme" for $5 off!!Learn more about producer Russell aka Rusty Biscuit at russellsperberg.com and @BabyTeethLA on IG.Show Artwork by Emily TatGoing through a hard time? You can find support at the Crisis Textline and see more global helplines here.HELIX SLEEP - Take the 2-minute sleep quiz and they'll match you to a customized mattress that'll give you the best sleep of your life. Visit helixsleep.com/sleep and get a special deal exclusive for SWM listeners!ZOCDOC - With Zocdoc, you can search for local doctors who take your insurance, read verified patient reviews and book an appointment, in-person or video chat. Download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE at zocdoc.com/sleep PROGRESSIVE - With the Name Your Price tool, you tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today at progressive.comQUINCE - Quince sells luxurious, ethically-made clothes and bedding at an affordable price. Transition your bed for the season with soft, breathable bedding from Quince. Go to Quince.com/sleep to get free shipping and 365-day returns on your next order. MINT MOBILE - This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summersavings and shop premium wireless plans at mintmobile.com/sleepwithme (Upfront payment of $45 for 3-month 5 gigabyte plan required [equivalentto $15/mo.]. New customer offer for first 3 months only, then full-price plan options available. Taxes & fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details.) Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Chris Whitaker is the author of four novels including Tall Oaks, All the Wicked Girls, We Begin at the End and All the Colors of the Dark (now out in paperback). The New York Times bestseller has sold more than one million copies. But more extraordinary is Chris's story of becoming a professional writer and how these bestsellers get written. He joins Marrie Stone to talk about his unusual path into publishing and how he used writing to overcome trauma. (In fact, Chris is so self-taught that he recently had to Google “MFA” to learn what it stands for.) Chris talks about living in the U.K. but setting his novels in the U.S. and how he masters the research to write about places he's never visited. One of those tricks is using an online dialect tool to get his dialogue just right. Chris also discusses how he writes in fragments with three computer screens in front of him, and other unconventional writing techniques. 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 June 23, 2025) Host: Barbara DeMarco-BarrettHost: Marrie StoneMusic: Travis Barrett (Stream his music on Spotify, Apple Music, Etc.)
Guerrilla Marketing for Writers: 100 No-Cost, Low-Cost Weapons for Selling Your WorkBecause the battle begins before a book even hits the shelves, an author needs every weapon to get ahead of the competition. Guerrilla Marketing for Writers is packed with proven insights and advice, it details 100 “Classified secrets” that will help authors sell their work before and after it's published. This life range of weapons-practical low-cost and no-cost marketing techniques-will help authors design a powerful strategy for strengthening their proposals, promoting their books, and maximizing their sales.Want to be a guest on Book 101 Review? Send Daniel Lucas a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17372807971394464fea5bae3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sundial contributor Chris Ferguson wonders why we humans feel the need to measure all kinds of things.
The demand for experienced medical writers is outpacing the availability of experienced writers. In TriloTalk episode 35, Julia Forjanic Klapproth, Senior Partner at Trilogy, and Kim Jochman, Senior Director of Medical Writing at Merck, raise awareness of two new essential AMWA resources: the apprentice program framework and the job leveling framework. As members of the workstreams who developed these, Julia and Kim bring insights and the rationale from behind the scenes. Tune in and learn about these important initiatives for the medical writing community.
Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcomeIn today's episode, host Courtney Kocak shares her experience attending a college reunion and how it's impacted her heading into the final revision of the manuscript for her debut memoir, GIRL GONE WILD, out March 2026 with Trio House Press! The trip brought together a close-knit group of old friends and gave her the chance to revisit college landmarks—leading to some real-time fact-checking… and what she's calling “emotional fact-checking.”The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com.Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminarLand Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writingworkshops.com/products/land-big-bylines-by-writing-for-columns-zoom-seminarThe Multi-Passionate Writer's Life: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocakHow to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarCreating Your Podcast: https://www.roadmapwriters.com/products/creating-your-podcast-0Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshop
Send us a textHave you ever known someone who is a bit off? It could be a boss, co-worker, or your significant other. It can start with someone too good to be true, filled with charm and fake empathy. Then, they begin to show their true colors by controlling, manipulating, and destroying your life, or worse, ending it. Well, today we are going to be talking about psychopaths and how we can hopefully identify the red flags and protect ourselves from these predators. My guest on the show, Kerrie Droban, is an expert in psychopathy, studying this phenomenon, being recognized as an expert consultant on criminal pathology, and writing her newest book, Surviving a Psychopath: In Court. In Life. In “Love.” Kerrie Droban is a bestselling author, lawyer, public speaker, true crime television host and journalist seen on Netflix, 20/20, and ID TV, and host of her own podcast, Crime Stands Still.Kerrie draws on her personal experience being in relationships with partners who exhibited psychopathic traits and being a capitol defense attorney representing inmates on death row for years.Please enjoy part one of my interview with Kerrie Droban that I guarantee will send chills up your spine and give you some diagnostic tools to help you recognize a psychopath before it's too late. In today's episode we discuss:· Kerrie Droban being the original ‘spy kid' having both parents as CIA operatives and spending her youth living in Africa.· How she balances being a bestselling author, lawyer, public speaker, true crime television host seen on Netflix, 20/20, and ID TV, and host of her own podcast, Crime Stands Still.· How she suggests others break into show business.· What is the definition of a psychopath, and how many has she known? · Are all psychopaths predators?· How do we spot the traits of a psychopath, and why do we sometimes choose to ignore them?· Why do humans choose to ignore their intuition?· Gavin de Becker's book, The Gift of Fear. All of this and more on today's episode of the Cops and Writers podcast.Please visit Kerrie's website to learn more about her and her newest book, Surviving a Psychopath: In Court. In Life. In “Love.”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.What would you do if you lost the one you loved the most? How far would you go to quench your thirst for vengeance?https://a.co/d/2UsJPbaSupport the show
Award-winning author Anna Monardo shares how her Italian-American heritage, family history, and exploration of memory, place, love, and belonging shape her writing. We talk about identity, gender, and the power of reimagining one's life through story. From Italy to Pittsburgh to Omaha, fiction and memoir, Monardo traces the emotional geography of the immigrant heart.Anna Monardo was born in Pittsburgh, spent many years in New York City, and now lives in Omaha, Nebraska, where she teaches in the Writer's Workshop of the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She is the award-winning author of the novels—The Courtyard of Dreams and Falling In Love with Natassia—and the creative nonfiction memoir – After Italy – exploring her family's immigration from southern Italy. Monardo is the recipient of residency fellowships from the Djerassi Foundation, Yaddo, and Virginia Center for the Creative Arts among others and her stories, essays, and poems have been published and anthologized in The Sun, Poets and Writers, Salon.com, Huffington Post, and many other magazines and journals.
Hollywood writers pushed for higher pay when streaming was on the decline, and the studios pushed back by cancelling shows and movies. Now fewer writers are working in Hollywood than any time in recent memory, and it's about to get so much worse for them... Watch this podcast episode on YouTube and all major podcast hosts including Spotify. CLOWNFISH TV is an independent, opinionated news and commentary podcast that covers Entertainment and Tech from a consumer's point of view. We talk about Gaming, Comics, Anime, TV, Movies, Animation and more. Hosted by Kneon and Geeky Sparkles. D/REZZED News covers Pixels, Pop Culture, and the Paranormal! We're an independent, opinionated entertainment news blog covering Video Games, Tech, Comics, Movies, Anime, High Strangeness, and more. As part of Clownfish TV, we strive to be balanced, based, and apolitical. Get more news, views and reviews on Clownfish TV News - https://news.clownfishtv.com/ On YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/ClownfishTV On Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4Tu83D1NcCmh7K1zHIedvg On Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clownfish-tv-audio-edition/id1726838629
HOLLYWOOD - Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom author Joel C. Scoberg is a winner in the L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future Contest and was honored along with eleven other writers and eleven artists at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, California on April 10th. His story, "The Stench of Freedom," is published along with the other writers' and illustrators' stories and art in the international bestselling anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 41 which was officially released on April 22nd 2025. Joel C. Scoberg lives on the beautiful Gower Peninsula in Wales, United Kingdom, with his very supportive wife, two somewhat feral children, and a growing menagerie of animals. He predominantly writes science fiction and fantasy stories, usually at night after his children have gone to bed and before he collapses from exhaustion. His stories have appeared in Daily Science Fiction, Gwyllion Science Fiction and Fantasy, 365tomorrows, and Every Day Fiction. Joel's love of science fiction and fantasy goes back further than his earliest memories. From watching The Never Ending Story so many times he wore out the video, to his family's Christmas tradition of watching the original Star Wars trilogy back-to-back, and discovering The Hobbit on a caravan holiday as a teenager and reading it, utterly mesmerised, in one sitting. He hopes to one day write a story that will equally enthrall a reader and make them fall in love with fantastical characters that, currently, only exist in his head. “The Stench of Freedom” was inspired by the transformational perspective that becoming a parent brings. Joel had long dreamt of becoming a writer, but pursuing a career in law and the long hours that entailed, as well as the fear of ridicule for putting something so personal as your own creation into the world, acted as excuses not to follow those dreams. Then, when his children were born, he realised he could hardly tell them to pursue their dreams if he hadn't done so himself. The Contest, one of the most prestigious writing and illustrating competitions in the world, is currently in its 42nd year and is judged by some of the premier names in speculative fiction. The Writers of the Future Contest judges include, Tim Powers (author of On Stranger Tides), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert (Dune prequel series), Robert J. Sawyer (The Oppenheimer Alternative), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game), Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), Hugh Howey (Wool), and Katherine Kurtz (Deryni series) to name a few. HOLLYWOOD - Mesa, Arizona author Ian Keith is a winner in the L. Ron Hubbard Illustrators of the Future Contest and was honored along with eleven other writers and eleven artists at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, California on April 10th. His story, "Blackbird Stone," is published along with the other writers' and illustrators' stories and art in the international bestselling anthology, L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 41 which will be officially released on April 22nd 2025. Ian Keith went to philosophy school to learn how to tell the truth, and to law school to learn how to tailor a story to suit any set of appearances. Both trainings have helped him to write fiction, about equally. He lives with his partner and their two children in the Phoenix area, where he works as a ghostwriter. “Blackbird Stone” is his first professional publication. “Blackbird Stone” started as an itch to write about the pigeons, lizards, and rocks that populate suburban backyards in the Southwest. It grew into a love story and a tribute to quirky families when a bachelorette with an addiction to time elbowed her way in at the conceptual stage. The pigeons became blackbirds, the lizards became telepathic, and the stones became eggs to accommodate her.
Celebrated writer and memoirist Melissa Febos on the art of the memoir, the alchemy of personal experience and literary craft, and how to turn the raw material of life into art. We also her latest book, The Dry Season, where she examines the solitude, freedoms, and feminist heroes Febos found during a year of celibacy.We also talk about:- Writing the unspeakable and undoing shame.- The role of research and personal obsession in memoir.- Finding structure through inventory, list-making & reflection.- Balancing vulnerability with privacy on the page.- How Melissa decides what's hers to tell—and when.- Her advice on discouragement, creative play & sustaining the practice. ABOUT MELISSA FEBOSMelissa Febos is the nationally bestselling author of four books, including Girlhood, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award in Criticism, and Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative. She has received fellowships and awards from the Guggenheim Foundation, NEA, LAMBDA Literary, the British Library, and more. Her essays appear in The Paris Review, The New York Times Magazine, The New Yorker, and Best American Essays. She is a full professor at the University of Iowa and lives in Iowa City with her wife, poet Donika Kelly. RESOURCES & LINKS:
Shirley Jackson, Elspeth Barker, and your emails – welcome to episode 139 of Tea or Books?! Can you believe we’ve been going for ten years? It’s wild to me! In the first half of the episode we compare two gothic-inspired
Robert J. Sawyer entered Writers of the Future and won three Honorable Mentions before disqualifying himself by selling professionally. We met 20 years ago at Torcon III, where he won his first Hugo award. The following year, he was invited to Hollywood to attend the Gala and subsequently invited to be a judge. He agreed and has been a judge for 20 years as of this interview. Find him at https://www.sfwriter.com/
This Episode was completed in Video and Audio before a Live Studio Audience for The Neoliberal Round Podcast discussing whether or not #diddy's trial was a Sham or a Shame and if he is innocent of #sextrafficking and #racketeering. We took to the streets as well and interviewed a few people to ghet their opinions about the Diddy trial.#renaldomckenzie, the Creator and Host makes predictions about whether Diddy will be acquitted brfore the Jury gets to deliberate and why Diddy is innocent of the specific charges.This episode is part of The Week End and Street Vibes Series on The Neoliberal Round Produced by The Neoliberal Corporation by Renaldo McKenzieSubscribe for free, share, like and comment - @RenaldoMckenzie Visit us at https://theneoliberal.com and https://renaldocmckenzie.comThe Neoliberal Corporation is a think thank digital media that is social and independent, publishing, IT, Content Creators, Researchers, Writers and Consultants.Donate to us at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=USSJLFU2HRVAQCall us 1-445-260-9198Email us at info@theneoliberal.com and renaldocmckenzie @gmail.com
"Solitude is a place I like to go" - Tracey EminWelcome to Episode #113:Today I share some beautiful moments in Bologna and Florence while sitting at a cafe close to Mercato Centrale in the centro storico of Firenze. Exploring art and culture was at the forefront of my experience in Italy on this recent travel adventure and there is no doubt there are many moving parts on this journey of mine. I discover much more than I expect seeing Tracey Emin at the Palazzo Strozzi and the restored artwork of Plautilla Nelli - The Last Supper c.1560 at the Santa Maria Novella.I mention the Strozzi Gallery and seeing Tracey Emin Sex and Solitude and The Time for Women exhibition that are currently showing in Florence, yet would also like to add while in Milan I went to I am Leonor Fini at the Palazzo Reale and loved her work and the beauty of her rich artist life in Italy and France. It came as quite a surprise to see such a femme de force of art after perusing the NovoCento in Milan, a wonderful museum of 20th and 21st Century modern art, yet certainly I noticed that 99 percent of the work was the art of men, a legacy that obviously reflects something more pertinent to art history and Italian culture. These observations left me pondering the times and the culture of art in Italy and perhaps my own experience as a woman forging ahead in difficult times in the 21st Century.Enjoy xFind all Shownotes at michellejohnston.life© 2025 A Writer In Italy - travel, books, art and lifeMusic Composed by Richard Johnston © 2025Support the show
In these episodes I try to set out good writing advice but a lot of bad advice is out there, so here is a list of bad advice, and the list may help us avoid writing blunders. Here are also ten dialogue mistakes, and avoiding them likely means we end up with engaging and even riveting dialogue for our characters.Support the show
Mark interviews Patrick MacPhee, teacher and Writers of the Future award-winning author about his love of reading, writing, and helping to inspire students. Prior to the interview, Mark shares comments from recent episodes, a personal update, and a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode's sponsor: This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK5 at checkout and save $5.00 off your own personalized report. In the interview, Mark and Patrick talk about: Patrick's experience reading Fellowship of the Rings when he was rather young and how it impacted him in a profound way The impact on the mind and imagination when reading something really slowly How when you're a kid you play in a specific way when experiencing new things Seeing speculative fiction as having that additional special spice that enhances a regular dish The five-book epic fantasy series that Patrick mapped out years ago (and which he recently finished writing book one of) Being influenced and inspired by Neal Stephenson's writing Patrick's Writers of the Future Award-winning story "Thirty Minutes or it's a Paradox" How the inspiration for this short story came from something Patrick was intimately aware of as a teacher Some of the previous stories that Patrick has had published in semi-pro magazines How Patrick learned about Writers of the Future and some of his submission history with the contest Getting the call from Joni about Patrick's finalist position in the contest Patrick's thoughts about the experience being in Hollywood and seeing the rendition of his story illustrated by Cam Collins How Patrick got into teaching and an important thing that he learned in that vocation - What Patrick is going to be doing next Advice for other writers And more... After the interview Mark reflects on a few of the things he discussed with Patrick. Links of Interest: Patrick MacPhee Website Free Short Stories by Patrick Writers of the Future Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link) Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Mark's YouTube channel Mark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup) An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon Hex and the City Only Monsters in the Building The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard Merry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation In addition to being a writer, Patrick MacPhee considers himself very luck to spend the past twenty years helping young people become better versions of themselves in his role as a teacher. He has learned that almost every part of the curriculum has room for a little humor — sometimes a lot of humor. We talk about that as well as his writing, and what inspired him to write the Writers of the Future Award-Winning story “Thirty Minutes or It's a Paradox.” The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
Niko Stratis joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about entertaining the queerest part of her soul, working on a book almost by accident, building a manuscript backwards from a title, arriving at a structure early into the process, making peace with the past, being in a safe place to write, processing adolescence, the performance of masculinity, giving humanity to even the difficult people, making a writing habit to hit deadlines, working with a small academic press, her time as a music and culture columnist for Catapult, and her new memoir The Dad Rock That Made Me a Woman. Also in this episode: -writing slowly -talking to parents about our memoir -working with a small academic press Books mentioned in this episode: -Night Moves by Jessica Hopper -Tomboy Survival Guide by Ivan Coyote -Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to a Tribe Called Quest by Hanif Abdurraqib -Nevada by Imogen Binnie -Tacky: Love Letters ot the Worst Culture We Have to Offer by Rax by King Niko Stratis is an award-winning writer from Toronto by way of the Yukon, where she spent years working as a journeyman glazier before coming out as trans in her thirties and being forced to abandon her previous line of work. Her writing has appeared in publications like Catapult, Spin, Paste and more. She's a Cancer, and a former smoker. Connect with Niko: Website: https://www.nikostratis.com/ Anxiety Shark Newsletter: https://www.anxietyshark.ca/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nikostratis.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikostratis/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/nikostratis Link to book: https://utpress.utexas.edu/9781477331484/ – 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
On today's program, Brady Boyd resigns from New Life Church. Boyd was on staff at Gateway during Robert Morris' tenure, and Elders now believe he misled the congregation about his knowledge of Morris's alleged abuse. We'll have details. Also, a court ruled that a lawsuit filed against Dave Ramsey can move forward. A former employee who was fired for being pregnant while unmarried is suing Ramsey for religious discrimination. We'll take a look. And, the sale of St. Louis FM radio station resulted in a standoff between two giants in Christian radio—K-LOVE and Joy FM Radio—and an almost $9 million price tag. But first, Christian YouTuber Kris ‘Kdub' Williams responds to rebuke following revelations of an affair. 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 Jessica Eturralde, Kim Roberts, Bob Smietana, Kristen Parker, Shannon Cuthrell, Paul Clolery, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to The Banner and The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
This week Danielle and Kristine learn how to survive a sexually adventurous partner in the kick off of our listener suggestion episodes!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
"My tarot cards really brought me back from the edge... I gradually started reclaiming my life." – Lisa Kessler Lisa Kessler is a well-regarded tarot card specialist with nearly two decades of professional tarot reading experience spanning clients worldwide. She is the creator of the Practical Tarot Deck and the author of the Practical Tarot Method. Beyond tarot, Lisa worked as a docent at the haunted Whaley House in San Diego, where she indulged her passion for the paranormal through the authorship of over 40 best-selling novels. Her diverse expertise also extends to specialized courses like Tarot for Writers, which help creatives harness their intuitive capacities. Aside from reading cards and writing, Lisa coaches others on manifesting their dream lives. Episode Summary: Welcome back to "Oh My Health, There Is Hope," where your host, Jana Short, brings you another inspiring episode featuring tarot expert Lisa Kessler. Known for her Practical Tarot Deck and extensive experience in tarot reading and intuitive coaching, Lisa joins Jana in a conversation that explores the intersection of spirituality and creativity. They delve into the art of tarot and its myriad uses, from unlocking writers' blocks to transforming life challenges into sources of personal empowerment. In this episode, Lisa shares her touching personal story of hope, detailing a period of life upheaval during the transition of perimenopause compounded by the loss of her mother. Lisa tells how she found solace and new beginnings through tarot, which helped her not only regain her creative spark but also launch new projects and ideas. Through anecdotes, Jana and Lisa offer listeners encouragement, insights, and practical advice on tapping into their intuition, using tarot cards to gain clarity, and ultimately emerging stronger and more resilient in the face of life's challenges. Key Takeaways: Tarot is a versatile tool that doesn't align with any specific religious dogma. It's an invaluable resource for anyone, regardless of background, who wants to connect with their intuition. Creations like the Practical Tarot Deck and methods developed by Lisa Kessler are designed to provide clarity, offer life guidance, and help writers overcome creative blocks. Personal life challenges can catalyze spiritual growth and self-discovery. Lisa's journey shows how tarot facilitated her emotional healing and fueled her professional expansion. Engaging with tarot can serve as an everyday tool—pulling a card as a daily affirmation can guide personal and professional decisions and reflect messages from your guides. Whether you're skeptical or convicted, embracing spiritual tools like tarot can lead to surprising revelations about your path and purpose, validating and encouraging you. Resources: Websites - http://AuthorLisaKessler.com http://MetaphysicalManifesting.com Free weekly tarot readings on YouTube - http://youtube.com/LdyDisney Tarot for Writers online class begins July 7th - https://www.authorlisakessler.com/online-classes-book-coaching/ Tarot Reading with Lisa over Zoom - https://www.metaphysicalmanifesting.net/tarot-readings-with-lisa-kessler.html Facebook - http://facebook.com/LisaKesslerWriter Instagram - http://instagram.com/LdyDisney Get a free subscription to the Best Holistic Life Magazine, one of the fastest-growing independent magazines centered around holistic living: https://bestholisticlife.info/BestHolisticLifeMagazine. Get in touch with Jana and listen to more podcasts: https://www.janashort.com/ Show Music ‘Hold On' by Amy Gerhartz: https://www.amygerhartz.com/music. Grab your FREE gift today: https://bestholisticlife.info/BestHolisticLifeMagazine Connect with Jana Short: https://www.janashort.com/contact/