Each episode of Writing Stories features an interview with a contemporary author about how her book went from an idea in her head to an object on a shelf. Join us on Writing Stories for honesty, struggle, and triumph, for writing community, publishing insight, and inspiration to persist in whatever difficult but meaningful journey you've chosen for yourself.
Send us a textAlong the way, Erika covers: Pacing Best moment of the book making processEditing that works with an author's vision Adrian Tchaikovsky and Service ModelAtria (publisher) Michelle Brower (agent) Loan Le editor Icky-post-pub emails Treadmill desk
1/21/25 • 32:51
Send us a textSeason 4! Coming up! You'll hear from Erika SwylerEmily J SmithDeesha PhilyawLidia YuknavitchSusan BarkerNicole Graev LipsonJennie CaseEmma PatteeElyse Durham Shubha SunderDori LumpkinSasha HomCally FiedorekLibby MaxeyGrace Bankole Nanda ReddyWayne Scott
1/19/25 • 10:58
Send us a textIn this episode, Yael Goldstein-Love talks about The Possibilities.We cover:Heretic barbiesPutting away ten years of work on a manuscript (possibly the best thing you've ever written)'A genteel form of homeless'Genre and its discontentsFeedback and recognizing a need for a POV shift in a draftHow women are socialized to prioritize others' perceptions of themBenefits of a really great editorHow publication can shift you out of your richest creative modeYou can buy The Possibilities here.You can find out more about Yael on her website here.You can peruse previous and future Writing Stories guests here.
1/14/25 • 32:16
Send us a textElle Everhart talks about Hot Summer. Along the way, Elle covers: Hinge A particular kind of single parenting experienceThe most dangerous writing appWriting as a way to try on alternative selves Collaborating with agent and editor on a contracted second book Romance novelsSomething Borrowed by Emily Giffin (My dog Pretzel makes an appearance.)Buy Hot Summer here. Learn more about Elle here Find out more about Writing Stories hereFollow Writing Stories here
1/13/25 • 31:37
Send us a textIn this episode, I talk to Shannon Sanders about her linked short story collection, Company. We talk about:- writing your own murder mystery parties- writing through your feelings about others' offhand comments- signing with an agent a week before COVID lockdown- persisting in your writing through the birth of twins- finishing your book while raising three children under three- resisting, as a writer of short stories, the pressure to turn them into a novel- trusting your own aesthetic judgement- toddler responses to mom's book- LeVar Burton!You can find Company here.Also check out The Office of Historical Corrections and Before You Suffocate Your Own Fool Self by the author Danielle Evans who is mentioned in the episode ( Shannon is a fan! ).
1/12/25 • 32:09
Send us a text'Burn charts' for writing Linking essays the way one links chapters in a novelWriting and mom guiltBoundaries (and the lack thereof) as they relate to gender socialization Letting a manuscript dieSarina Bowen #AmWriting podcastWhat Fresh Hell podcastZibby Books Andrea Robinson — developmental editor When Did I Get Like This Jenny Nash's Blueprint for a Nonfiction Book Buy Happy to Help hereLearn more about Amy Wilson hereFollow Writing Stories here
1/10/25 • 29:46
Send us a textIn this episode, I talk to Christina Consolino about her most recent novel, The Weight We Carry.We discuss:- NaNoWriMo- Prioritizing writing- The oozing guts of dead things- Controlling what you can and letting go of what you can't- The idea that not all characters are capable of substantial change- Publishing with a small, independent press- Trusting your book will find an audienceYou can find Christina's novels The Weight We Carry and Rewrite the Stars here!
1/10/25 • 28:34
Send us a textElizabeth Hilborn tells the story of her memoir Restoring Eden. Along the way she covers:Moving from scientific writing to memoirNotes and research for nonfictionHoney bees, pesticides, and environmental degradationMindfulness and writingJill Rothenberg - editorDinty W Moore and the river of the storyFind out more about Dr. Elizabeth Hilborn hereBuy Restoring Eden here
1/9/25 • 31:55
Send us a textEditing an essay collection Organizing an essay collection Literary Mama C-sectionsBlurbsWorking with mothersJulie Stevenson (agent) Labor Day (collection of birth stories including one from Cheryl Strayed) Writing your spouse (or not) launch parties The Experiment pressBuy My Caesarean hereLearn more about Amanda hereFollow Writing Stories here
12/23/24 • 31:55
Send us a textThe key to being able to write a lot YADDO and writing 50 pages a day (????)What makes a 'real' writerWriting groups that last 40 yearsIn-person author events and signings"The sad wilderness of selves calling out for publication"Launch pad from The Authors Guild Getting an editor on Reedsy Learn more about Terese hereBuy The Long Swim hereBuy Roxy and Coco here Follow Writing Stories here
12/18/24 • 32:57
Send us a textIn this episode Jaclyn tells the story of Late Air. Along the way she covers: goal orientationRunningDriftless Literary upcoming course on navigating the indie publishing landscapeDavid Ryan (and his revision ideas)the denial of painMarya SpenceBuy Late Air hereLearn more about Jaclyn here
12/6/24 • 36:16
Send us a textIn this episode Vera Blossom tells the story of How To Fuck Like A Girl. Along the way she covers: Gender/genre crossover Diary writing Dopamine PressQueer zine cultureBuilding a queer utopia How great editors are like spiritual teachers and therapists Publishing as a trans writer in today's political climatePEN America fellowship and TanaïsLearn more about Vera here Buy How to Fuck Like A Girl Here
12/4/24 • 26:05
Send us a textIn this episode, Jessica E. Johnson tells the story of Mettlework. Along the way she covers: Agent troubles Her poetry collection MetabolicsA need for more poetry about motherhoodConnections between form, content, and 'material conditions of creation' in her work Gathering your mentor texts The inheritance of motherhood and the self-sacrificing mother mythMary Ardery's review of her book Emma Copley Eisenberg and HousematesLearn more about Jessica here Buy Mettlework here
11/23/24 • 40:18
Send us a textIn this episode Polly tells the story of Look How Happy I'm Making You. Along the way she covers: - When your conversation partner for your book launch cancel at the last minute- Bathttub stories- Going to auction- Keeping your expectations low- Making Shapely Fiction by Jerome Stern - Finding an agent in Poets and WritersFind out more about Polly hereBuy Look How Happy I'm Making You here
11/18/24 • 31:43
Send us a textIn this episode, Danny Goodman tells the story of Amerikaland. Along the way he covers:- Anxiety as writing fuel- how sports can be literary, romantic, uniting, and a useful literary tool - writing a different gender - writing pro athletes- Leftover Books - Being married to a brilliant editor - Antisemitism Learn more about Danny here Buy Amerikaland here
11/12/24 • 38:23
Send us a textIn this episode, Jazmina Barrera tells the story of Linea Nigra. Along the way she covers: World-altering experience of becoming a parentGendered double-standards in terms of what topics are worthy of booksRadical empathy Publishing a book in translation, working with a translatorTwo Lines PressForeign Body Linea NegraEdiciones AntílopeLearn more about Jazmina Barrera Buy Linea Nigra here
11/6/24 • 35:14
Send us a textKate Brody tells the story of Rabbit Hole. Along the way she covers: Choosing a genre container to move her plot alongSelling fast in one country and slow in anotherSelling a book while in labor with her second childWriting a book while teaching and parenting Writing a second book when the first didn't sell Commercial ambitions and related feelings Dorland Arts ColonySOHO Press, Bloomsbury Find out more about Kate hereBuy Rabbit Hole here (PAPERBACK COMES OUT TUESDAY)
10/25/24 • 30:26
Send us a textIn this episode Brittany tells the story of Hell If We Don't Change Our Ways. Along the way she covers: - Taking care of yourself when writing hard things- The best way to protect yourself from post-publication despair and Zibby Books- The power of a good writing teacher- Complicating the popular 'homeless-to-Harvard' narrative- Why the submission process made her feel like a 'ferret with fleas'- Studying nonfiction at Iowa - Writing as coping mechanism - Kiese LaymonFind out more about Brittany hereBuy Hell If We Don't Change Our Ways here
10/19/24 • 35:43
Send us a textIn this episode, Kate Weinberg tells the story of There's Nothing Wrong With Her. Along the way she covers: why it is hard to live with a writer Stamina and persistenceHaving your book go to auctionThe emotional and financial uncertainty and fluctuation in an artist's lifeChronic illnessThe importance of celebrating writing winsThe TruantsBuy There's Nothing Wrong With Her hereLearn more about Kate hereFind out more about Writing Stories here
10/11/24 • 29:26
Send us a textIn this episode Cheryl Klein tells the story of Crybaby. Along the way she covers: Big Feelings and sexism in our beliefs about what is worthy of big feelings Memoir as coping mechanismPresenting the self in memoir Publishing a memoir when you are living through the sequel MiscarriageBaby envy MUTHA MagazineBrown Paper PressZoe Norvell Dani Shapiro The Commuters Lilac Mines Buy Crybaby hereLearn more about Cheryl Klein here
10/5/24 • 33:09
Send us a textIn this episode Marie Mutsuki Mockett tells the story of The Tree Doctor. Along the way she covers: The ways women are and are not allowed to write about sexThe depression that can follow publishing a book and how to overcome it (hint: lemons and sugar are involved)Differences in Japanese and American perspectives on the body Embracing one's creative range and curiosity Graywolf Press and editor Ethan Nosowsky The Tale of Genji The End of the Affair Marie's previous books: Picking Bones from Ash, American Harvest, Where the Dead Pause and the Japanese Say Goodbye Learn more about Marie hereBuy The Tree Doctor here
9/27/24 • 41:03
Send us a textRebecca J. Sanford tells the story of The Disappeared. Along the way she covers: The Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo in Argentina A new querying technique Being on submission for a year Finding an agent who understands your vision Buy The Disappeared hereFind out more about Rebecca hereFind out more about Writing Stories hereFollow Writing Stories here
8/11/24 • 16:25
Send us a textElle Everhart tells the story of Hot Summer. Along the way, Elle covers: Hinge A particular kind of single parenting experienceThe most dangerous writing appWriting as a way to try on alternative selves Collaborating with agent and editor on a contracted second book Romance novelsSomething Borrowed by Emily Giffin (My dog Pretzel makes an appearance.)Buy Hot Summer here. Learn more about Elle here Find out more about Writing Stories hereFollow Writing Stories here
8/7/24 • 30:25
Send us a textAida Zilelian tells the story of All the Ways We Lied. Along the way she discusses: - writer's block- the value of touchstone texts and poetry - agents (the good, the bad, and the why) - how to know when to let go of a project - the Armenian genocide - The Stranger by Camus - Anjali Singh (agent) - book coach Karen Clark - The Goldfinch and The CorrectionsFind out more about Aida hereBuy All the Ways We Lied here
7/8/24 • 25:43
Send us a textElizabeth Hilborn tells the story of her memoir Restoring Eden. Along the way she covers: Moving from scientific writing to memoirNotes and research for nonfiction Honey bees, pesticides, and environmental degradation Mindfulness and writingJill Rothenberg - editorDinty W Moore and the river of the story Find out more about Dr. Elizabeth Hilborn hereBuy Restoring Eden here
7/3/24 • 30:48
Send us a textAnanda Lima tells the story of CRAFT: Stories I Wrote for the Devil. Along the way she covers: The importance of giving yourself permission to play Craft talk (and the implicit values therein!) Remembering your opinion is valid Great editing movesLatinx in publishing Black Lawrence PressSewanee Writers' ConferenceRestless Books New Immigrant Writing PrizeFind out more about Ananda hereBuy CRAFT hereFind out more about Writing Stories hereFollow Writing Stories here
6/26/24 • 32:16
Send us a textIn this episode Barrie Miskin tells the story of her memoir Hellgate Bridge. Along the way she covers: Sarah PerryInferno by Catherine Cho Writing about mental illnessWriting about motherhoodHelpful writing coach moves (including the 'mmmm, I kinda don't get it' move)Writing about traumatic experiences Find out more about Barrie here Buy Hellgate Bridge here Find out more about Writing Stories hereFollow Writing Stories here
6/6/24 • 28:19
Send us a textIn this episode, Shze-Hui talks about The Story Game. Along the way, she covers: Evaluating agent responses to your manuscriptWomen and anger How to know when a book is done Recognizing the limits of our knowledge The generative power of getting stuck and the creation of new forms Book tour Writing about family Tin House **The Story Game was actually finished in Oct '22, not in Oct '23 as stated in the episode.**Find out more about Shze-Hui Tjoa hereBuy The Story Game hereFind out more about Writing Stories hereFollow Writing Stories here
5/25/24 • 30:54
Send us a textLucas Mann tells the story of Attachments: Essays on fatherhood and other performances. Along the way he covers: Writing when you have a newbornTrying for a balance between personal essay and cultural criticismFalse dichotomy of smart writing and embodied writing The perception that books about fatherhood don't sellWhen your publisher doesn't respond to the manuscript you submittedWhat he thinks about when he compiles an essay collection The 'golden age' of mothering literature Rivka Galchen little Labors Dept of Speculation Jenny OffillArgonauts Maggie Nelson University of Iowa PressJohn McPheeBuy Attachments hereLearn more about Lucas here
5/12/24 • 33:20
Send us a textIn this episode, Michelle Tea tells the story of SLUTS, from Dopamine Press. Along the way, she covers: Starting Dopamine PressAnthologies as fundraisersStarting and ending anthologiesPerceptions of 'sluttery' and our culture's relationship to pleasure An iconic '90s San Francisco sexual experienceAssimilationist and anti-assimilationist queernessBeth PickensClement Goldberg and New Mistakes Semiotext(e) Vera Blossom and How To Fuck Like A Girl Cheryl Klein (who will also be joining Writing Stories to talk about her memoir Crybaby!) Jen SilvermanAmanda MontellBrontez Purnell Find out more about Michelle Tea hereBuy SLUTS hereFind out more about Writing Stories hereFollow Writing Stories here
5/7/24 • 33:40
