Catch up on the latest episodes...
Episode 38: Books from All Angles: A Publisher, Editor and Book Reviewer Brian Hurley
Guilt, failure, negative reviews… We dig into the good stuff and the hard stuff with the wonderful Brian Hurley, a publisher, editor and passionate reviewer of books, including what authors need to know going into publishing. We discuss why, when a book wins an award, it’s Amazon ratings will actually go down!
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
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
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 34:The Permissive Writer: Ann Packer on Writing, Revision and Intuition
Best-selling author of three novels and two story collections, Ann Packer sat down with us to talk about writing for herself on her own schedule, about two different kinds of revision, about having a sense of the emotional shape of a book before she begins.
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
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
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
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 29: Craft and Plot in Novel and Memoir. A talk with Janis Cooke Newman.
We had such a rich and helpful conversation with the multitalented Janis Cooke Newman, author of memoir and novels, editor of the newly launched Technically Literate column of fictional short stories on CNET, and leader of LitCamp. We talked about the isolation of writing and ways to undercut that.
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
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!
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 25: Revolutionary Llamas and Sentient Squirrels: Plotting a Mystery and More. A talk with Nicholas P. Taylor
Nicholas P. Taylor has an alias. The acclaimed author of two historical novels, Nick took up with mysteries under the name T.T. Monday.
Episode 24: What the Art of Storytelling Teaches All Story Makers. A talk with Hari Meyers
What of the storyteller who stands before a live audience, to entrance, to entertain, to warn, to engage? What can we learn from the most ancient form of story making? Today we talk with acclaimed storyteller–and former psychotherapist–Hari Meyers about the art, archetypes and activism of the storyteller.
Episode 23. Writing: Ambition, Habit or Addiction? A talk with Elizabeth Stark
This week Angie interviewed Elizabeth, just to get really meta or, you know, narcissistic. Actually, we thought this would be a good way to introduce us to our listeners: Who are these people asking these questions? Why are they so hungry to know everything about story?
Episode 22: Would Your Story Make a Good Memoir? A Talk with Meredith Maran
In this honest conversation with Meredith Maran, prolific memoirist, book reviewer, novelist and editor of the newly released Why We Write About Ourselves, we dive into the risks of writing a memoir whose story you are still living.
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.