Why We Write

Writing with unflinching honesty, Dr. Matthew E. Henry's debut poetry collection, "Teaching While Black,"  confronts racism in the classroom.
 

Read our profile of Dr. Henry

Dr. Matthew E. Henry's websi…

Candice Iloh draws from her own upbringing for "Every Body Looking," her debut YA novel written in verse. The story, which has been longlisted for the 2020 National Book Awards, follows Ada, a Nigeri…

We wrap up our second season with a reflection on Lesley University's three-decades old literary magazine.

Check out the full archives of Commonthought Magazine.

For more information on our guests, Pro…

Mariama Lockington's debut middle grade novel, For Black Girls Like Me, incorporates poetry and prose into a story about a transracial adoptee who deals with racism, mental health and growing up.

Mari…

What's the hardest part about writing? Sitting down and doing it. Today's guests, Emily Lee and Cassie Stossel are recent MFA grads and the founders of the newsletter Sit Down and Write, in which pub…

Best-selling young adult author Jason Reynolds dissects some of his favorite passages to uncover the keys to writing a powerful narrative.

Works discussed in this episode:

1. Long Way Down  by Jason Reyno…

In her debut, physician and author Lisa Gruenberg writes a lyrical memoir about her family, pieced together from her father's letters, research, and reconstructing the lost histories of a family torn…

"There's no willy-nilly in writing," says acclaimed author A.J. Verdelle (The Good Negress) and that means mastering scenes. In this workshop, held at Lesley University, A.J. talks about what goes in…

Jasmine Warga's first middle grade novel, "Other Words for Home," is making tons of 2019 book lists and for good reason. The timely, emotional and hopeful novel in verse follows a Syrian sixth grader…

Note: This episode discusses sexual abuse.

Tracy Strauss's debut memoir, "I Just Haven't Met You Yet," explores her process of healing as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and the pursuit of love i…

Laurie Foos is the author of seven novels and novellas. In her own words, Laurie's books “push the limits of reality, to make things seem absurd and grotesque in order for the reader to see things in…

Michelle Knudsen is the author of more than 45 books for young readers, ranging from children’s picture books to young adult novels. She also teaches in the Lesley University MFA in Creative Writing …

Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan is a New York-based journalist and author of Sarong Party Girls (William Morrow, 2016) as well as A Tiger In The Kitchen: A Memoir of Food & Family (Hyperion, 2011).

She was a staf…

Tracey Baptiste concludes her popular 'Jumbies' series, talks about diversity in publishing, and discusses her New York Times opinion on mermaids with Lesley University Professor and poet Danielle Le…

A story about the legendary, but little-known African-American ice skater Mabel Fairbanks is a natural debut for professional skater turned author Rose Viña.

Her new picture book, Ice Breaker: How Mab…

Sheila Alexander lives in Massachusetts with her husband, son, dog, and parrot. She holds a master’s degree in education and a minor in fine art from Lesley University. By day, she works as a teacher…

Jane Brox’s fifth book, Silence, was published in January 2019 and explores the nuances of quiet - both forced and voluntary. Her previous book, Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light, was name…

Axie Oh is a first generation Korean American, born in NYC and raised in New Jersey. She studied Korean history and creative writing as an undergrad at the University of California – San Diego and ho…

A graduate of Lesley University’s MFA in Creative Writing program, Lyz Lenz’s writing has appeared in the Huffington Post, The Washington Post, The New York Times, Pacific Standard, and others. God L…

It's our season finale, and we've got recent graduate and thrice published author Nicole Mello. Nicole talks about how hard it is to actually call yourself a writer, the freedom of self-publishing, a…