Catch up on the latest episodes...

Episode 37: Shaping Memoir, Inventing Scene: A Discussion with Ground-breaking Feminist Economist Myra Strober

Episode 37: Shaping Memoir, Inventing Scene: A Discussion with Ground-breaking Feminist Economist Myra Strober

We had an inspiring and far-ranging conversation with feminist economist Myra Strober about her new memoir, Sharing the Work:What My Family and Career Taught Me About Breaking Through (and Holding the Door Open for Others). We examined differences between memoir writing, fiction, and academic writing, and how Myra used theme as a filter to shape and cut her memoir.

Episode 36: Breaking Down Traditional and Non-Traditional Publishing with Nina Amir

Episode 36: Breaking Down Traditional and Non-Traditional Publishing with Nina Amir

We broke open the traditional publishing/ self-publishing dichotomy in this conversation, having the most exciting discussion on platform building, purpose, marketing and creativity that maybe we’ve ever had. Nina straddles traditional publishing and self-publishing, doing well in both. Here, we really dig into those worlds and where they meet, where they part, and how they can work together. Nina showed us how to pitch fiction and non-fiction, what it really means to build reach and visibility as an author, and how to get inspired to do it.

Visit: http://www.storymakersshow.com/episode-36-breaking-down-traditional-and-non-traditional-publishing-with-nina-amir to learn more.

Episode 35: Jabari Asim

Episode 35: Jabari Asim

It was an honor and a joy to sit down (virtually) with Jabari Asim and talk about just how a man with five children and a big deal job manages to be so productive across so many genres.

Episode 33: Setting, Creative Process, and Freedom in Art and Writing: a talk with Adam Wolpert

Episode 33: Setting, Creative Process, and Freedom in Art and Writing: a talk with Adam Wolpert

Adam Wolpert is a painter who blogs beautifully about the creative process, and our conversation began by looking at the moment when you’re shifting out of a big a long extended project and finding the next one–something writers certainly face as well. This led into an exploration of the powers of creative constraints, of setting limits on your projects–and the unexpected and deep freedom that produces.

Episode 32: Vision, Values and Collaboration: a talk with Heather Haggerty and Nanou Matteson

Episode 32: Vision, Values and Collaboration: a talk with Heather Haggerty and Nanou Matteson

Heather Haggerty and Nanou Matteson are a superteam of film producers who brought us the recent award-winning comedy starring Rita Moreno and previous Story Makers podcast guest Steve Goldbloom. Their film East Side Sushi has also had remarkable success. We dig into the creative side of marketing your art and its connection to your values, about when and how to consider your audience, about keeping your budget small and your quality high.

Episode 31: Your work in the world: a talk with Peg Alford Pursell

Episode 31: Your work in the world: a talk with Peg Alford Pursell

We had a lively and important conversation with author, publisher and literary curator Peg Alford Pursell, about the publishing landscape and how writers can successfully interact with it. Peg, who runs the popular reading series Why There Are Words, is launching an independent press with the same name.

Episode 30: Structure and Resistance: a talk with Angie Powers

Episode 30: Structure and Resistance: a talk with Angie Powers

My conversation with Angie Powers, co-host of Story Makers Show, began with the process and pleasure of telling yourself a story. We discussed what she did and did not get from her MFA program, including an understanding of structure and revision, which led us into the art of revision and the relationship between revision and planning or structure.

Episode 28: What the Wolf and the Editor Know That You Must Learn. A talk with Dorothy Hearst.

Episode 28: What the Wolf and the Editor Know That You Must Learn. A talk with Dorothy Hearst.

We had a far-ranging conversation with the multi-talented author of the trilogy The Wolf Chronicles, professional developmental and acquisitions editor and now, first-time screenplay writer Dorothy Hearst. She shared how her ideas and inspirations arrive and develop, how science can thicken a plot, negative self-talk (the downfall of many writers), and so much more.

Episode 27: Creative Problem Solving: a talk with filmmaker Juan Davis

Episode 27: Creative Problem Solving: a talk with filmmaker Juan Davis

Problems with sound? Extras don’t show up? In this far-ranging conversation with filmmaker Juan Davis, a writer/ director with experience in sound, editing and just about every other area of film, we learn just how projects morph and problems can shape a stronger film in the end. From giving voice to the voiceless and showing a film about terrorism in troubled times to the art of transitions, arc and ambiguity, this conversation will inspire story makers of all stripes.

Episode 26:   The Agent’s Perspective: What Aspiring Writers Need to Know Plus Lots of Great Information for Children’s, Middle Grade and YA Authors!

Episode 26: The Agent’s Perspective: What Aspiring Writers Need to Know Plus Lots of Great Information for Children’s, Middle Grade and YA Authors!

This was such a helpful and inspiring conversation with new literary agent Jennifer Soloway, who went to grad school with Angie and who shares her journey to becoming an agent, how she fell in love with the work, her process for selecting clients, how to pitch your work, what she looks for, how she edits, and so much more.

Episode 21: Paul Lisicky

Episode 21: Paul Lisicky

What does it feel like to be an overnight success after 17 years of publishing? In our lovely conversation with novelist, memoirist and essayist Paul Lisicky, we discuss the benefit of low expectations and the liberation of not worrying about having a huge audience followed by the surprise of getting one with his new memoir, The Narrow Door.