Writing Stories
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.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 30 minutes
- Episodes
- 78
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
Writing Stories 'Artist Statement'
What Writing Stories is and is not. (A good listen if you are considering being a guest on the show.)
Season 2 Trailer!
Listen for all the goodies coming up in Season 2 of Writing Stories!! (And subscribe so you don't miss them!)
A Bold Fearlessness — Deborah Jackson Taffa Tells the Story of Whiskey Tender
In this episode, Deborah Jackson Taffa talks about her debut memoir Whiskey Tender.
Also discussed:
Weaving historical research into memoir
Turning an essay collection into a memoir
Turn…
"Stay in the Game...Sooner or Later Something Will Crack" — Chin-Sun Lee Tells the Story of Upcountry
In this episode, Chin-Sun Lee tells the story of Upcountry.
We cover:
Writing from an image you can't shake
Being 'on submission' (your agent is submitting your manuscript to editors) f…
Could My Story Be of Use? —Mary Beth O'Connor Tells the Story of Junkie to Judge
In this episode, Mary Beth O'Connor tells the story of From Junkie to Judge: One Woman's Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction
We cover:
How to protect yourself when writing traumatic memori…
"I Thought It Was Very Mainstream, But..." — Cassie Premo Steele Tells the Story of Beaver Girl
In this episode, Cassie Premo Steele tells the story of Beaver Girl.
We cover:
- Asking for help
- Characterization
- Snowflake method
- Querying hundreds of agents
- Long COVID
- Dirty r…
Four Agents, Three Books, Two Publishers — Jacinda Townsend talks about Saint Monkey and Mother Country
In this episode, Jacinda Townsend talks about her award-winning books Saint Monkey and Mother Country.
Along the way we cover:
Fiction writing as coping mechanism
Being the only Black k…
Fun, Ridiculous, and Thrumming with Truth - Rachel Yoder Tells the Story of Nightbitch
In this episode, I talk with Rachel Yoder about her debut novel Nightbitch.
Along the way we cover:
Fun, art, pushing the boundaries of story, and permission to find your own work
What i…
Plumbers Don't Get Plumbers Block — Talking with Sue Shapiro about American Shield and Barbie
In this episode, I talk with Sue Shapiro about American Shield, Barbie, and her broader publishing journey.
We cover:
Co-authoring and Jungian astrologists
How "every book breaks your …
There's Life in the Messiness - Yael Golstein-Love Tells the Story of The Possibilities
In this episode, Yael Goldstein-Love talks about The Possibilities.
We cover:
Heretic barbies
Putting away ten years of work on a manuscript (possibly the best thing you've ever written)…
It's a linear narrative... but a trail is a line — Andrea Lani tells the story of Uphill Both Ways: Hiking Toward Happiness on the Colorado Trail
In this episode, Andrea talks about her hybrid memoir Uphill Both Ways: Hiking Toward Happiness on the Colorado Trail.
We cover:
Scooby Doo writing
Making sure research doesn't become a…
The whole idea of ‘SERIOUS’ writing is a lot of toxic trash — Alyssa Songsiridej tells the story of Little Rabbit
In this episode, Alyssa Songsiridej talks about:
Combatting imposter syndrome
Female friendships
Letting yourself be surprised, braving uncertainty, and bodily surrender in art making
Dan…
You Have to Do This - Shannon Sanders tells the story of Company
In 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 ab…
Letting Go of What's Not Under Your Control - Christina Consolino Tells the Story of The Weight We Carry
In 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
- Controlli…
Margo Steines Talks About Brutalities - "I Feel Aligned With The Tastes of Men In a Way That I Hope To Grow Out Of"
In this episode, I talk to Margo Steines about her memoir Brutalities
We talk about:
- Not wanting to use suspense as a way to move readers through your work
- Having your first manuscri…
It's Like a Circuit Break. You're Almost a New Person — Talking with Kelly McMasters about The Leaving Season — Episode 2
In this episode, Kelly McMasters talks about her memoir The Leaving Season. We touch on:
- finding yourself in another writer's work
- identifying (or not) as a 'writer'
- revision (of ma…
You Have to Work Really Hard - Kai Harris Tells the Story of What the Fireflies Knew - Episode 1
In this episode, Dr. Kai Harris tells the story of her debut novel What the Fireflies Knew. We talk about:
- embracing your own voice and material when writing
- drafting a novel in a …
Season 1 - Trailer
Season 1 Trailer for Writing Stories! Writing stories is a podcast about the struggles and triumphs of writing and publishing. We follow books from an idea in someone's head to a collec…