Why We Write
82 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratingsInterviews with award-winning authors from the Lesley University community and beyond. We cover a broad range of genres and topics, all related to books and the writing life.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Dark fantasy writer Zin E. Clarke wins with "Flowers from the Sea"
February 22, 2023 21:03 - 44 minutes - 35.2 MBZin E. Rocklyn speaks on their Shirley Jackson Award-winning novella “Flowers for the Sea" with fellow speculative fiction author and Lesley University faculty Laurie Foos. Read Zin's essay, "My Genre Makes a Monster of Me" from Uncanny Magazine Read more about Zin and Laurie and find a transcript for this episode on our website. Learn more about Lesley University's low-residency MFA in Creative Writing program.
In ‘A Fractured Infinity,’ a sci-fi love story spans the metaverse
November 22, 2022 05:00 - 28 minutes - 23 MBCreative Writing alum Nathan Tavares talks about his debut novel, "A Fractured Infinity," a sci-fi love story that's "like the movie 'Arrival,' but really gay." In this episode, Nathan gives us a view into writing sci-fi, his career as a freelance journalist, and what he learned in his MFA program. Read more about Nathan and our MFA in Creative Writing program. P.S. See Nathan speak about his book live at Brookline Booksmith on Dec. 7.
A.J. Verdelle's 'Literary Friendship' with Toni Morrison
November 01, 2022 04:00 - 31 minutes - 24.9 MBEpisode notes Being friends with Toni Morrison, one of the most influential writers in American literature was a life-changing experience for A.J. Verdelle, but it came with its ups and downs. A.J. writes about her relationship with the Beloved author, including their "two and a half spats" in Miss Chloe: A Memoir of a Literary Friendship with Toni Morrison. In this episode, A.J. sits down with nonfiction author Jane Brox to give us insight into her writing process and the impact of being c...
Emily Inouye Huey explores Japanese-American history in YA debut
October 18, 2022 04:00 - 29 minutes - 23.3 MBEpisode notes The forced relocation of thousands of Japanese and Japanese-Americans during World War II profoundly shaped Emily Inouye Huey's family. Uprooted from their home on the West Coast, her great grandparents and grandparents were forced to live in a Wyoming internment camp, which is where her father was born. Inspired by her family's story, Emily wrote Beneath the Wide Silk Sky, a heartbreaking and beautiful story of a Japanese-American teenager in the days leading up to and follow...
Sara Farizan on Chucky Dolls, an Evil Pinball Machine and Writing Horror
October 04, 2022 04:00 - 33 minutes - 27.1 MBLesley University alumna and Creative Writing faculty Sara Farizan talks about her first YA horror novel, Dead Flip, a not-too-scary of nostalgia, friendship, and an evil pinball machine. In this episode, she gives advice for writers about writing in a new genre and shares her own fears of Chucky Dolls, Stephen King novels, and more! Read more about Sara Farizan Sara discusses her novel "Here to Stay" on Why We Write. Sara interviews fellow YA writer Axie Oh. Find the transcript for this...
Sara Farizan on Evil Pinball Machines, Chucky Dolls and Writing Horror
October 04, 2022 04:00 - 33 minutes - 27.1 MBLesley University alumna and Creative Writing faculty Sara Farizan talks about her first YA horror novel, Dead Flip, a not-too-scary of nostalgia, friendship, and an evil pinball machine. In this episode, she gives advice for writers about writing in a new genre and shares her own fears of Chucky Dolls, Stephen King novels, and more! Read more about Sara Farizan Sara discusses her novel "Here to Stay" on Why We Write. Sara interviews fellow YA writer Axie Oh. Find the transcript for this...
Grace K. Shim brings K-dramas to the page
September 13, 2022 04:00 - 31 minutes - 25.3 MBEpisode notes Growing up, Grace K. Shim relished the twists and turns of Korean dramas. Now, she's written one of her own with her YA debut, The Noh Family, in which recent high school graduate Chloe Chang discovers through a DNA test that she has family in Korea...and they're not only rich but they've got lots of secrets. Drama ensues. On the episode, Grace talks about how her story overlaps with her character's, why she took up writing, and the rise of Asian American voices in publishing...
Saraciea J. Fennell is Bringing Books to the Bronx
June 20, 2022 23:53 - 35 minutes - 28.8 MBThe Bronx is Reading founder Saraciea J. Fennell is working to get more books into the hands of young people, especially those who come from backgrounds similar to hers, through her organization, a yearly book festival, and one day a bookstore. Saraciea is also the editor of the acclaimed 2021 young adult anthology Wild Tongues Can't Be Tamed, which features essays and poems by Latinx authors such as Elizabeth Acevedo and Ibi Zoboi about the myths, and stereotypes surrounding their culture a...
Rebecca Rolland on 'The Art of Talking with Children'
June 07, 2022 04:00 - 24 minutes - 19.9 MBEpisode notes Whether you're a parent, teacher, or simply someone who will one day in encounter a child, Rebecca Rolland ’17 has advice for how to respond to kids, and most importantly, how to listen. Find a transcript of this episode on our show page. About our guest Rebecca Rolland is a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and serves on the faculty at Harvard Medical School. She is also an oral and written language specialist in the Neurology Department of Boston Childr...
'Mother Noise' author Cindy House on addiction, parenting, and David Sedaris
May 24, 2022 04:00 - 23 minutes - 18.7 MBWith heartfelt, gritty, and sometimes humorous essays, Cindy House's memoir Mother Noise addresses her years of drug addiction, becoming a parent, and her long friendship with David Sedaris. Learn more about "Mother Noise." Hear Cindy read one of the essays from Mother Noise in Episode 16. Read our article Cindy House ’17 on David Sedaris, kicking heroin and why she wants to send 'everybody a cupcake’ About our guest Cindy House is an essayist, short story writer, artist, and a regular ...
Starting a literary podcast with Tavi Taylor Black and Christine Junge
May 10, 2022 15:30 - 38 minutes - 53.4 MBTavi Taylor Black and Christine Junge are the podcasters behind The Personal Element, a monthly discussion about one essay that both writers loved. On this episode, they take us through their podcasting process, and we discuss an essay from Cindy House's forthcoming collection "Mother Noise." A transcript and more podcast info are available on the episode page. About our guests Christine Junge and Tavi Black met when they were working on their MFAs at Lesley University in the early 2000s....
National Poetry Month: Bonita Lee Penn finds joy in the "Death Doula's Song"
April 26, 2022 04:00 - 8 minutes - 8.09 MBOn our final National Poetry Month episode of the year, Bonita Lee Penn shares a hopeful poem inspired by death (no really). Find the transcript on our episode page. Today's guest Bonita Lee Penn is an alumna of our MFA in Creative Writing program, a Pittsburgh poet and the author of Every Morning a Foot is Looking for My Neck (Central Square Press). Her work has been included in the anthology Where We Stand: Poems of Black Resilience (2022 Cherry Castle Publishing); Taint Taint Taint Li...
National Poetry Month: Staci Halt imagines the wilds of New York City with 'Soft'
April 19, 2022 04:05 - 6 minutes - 6.14 MBIn our third National Poetry Month episode of the month, a visit to New York City expands Staci Halt's understanding of poetry and inspires her poem "Soft." A transcript of this episode, info about programs at Lesley University, and more podcast stuff can be found on the episode page. Today's guest Staci Halt is an MFA candidate at Lesley University and mother of six super cool humans and an unseemly number of fur children. Her poems were longlisted for Palette Poetry's Love & Eros Prize ...
National Poetry Month: July Westhale Goes to the Moon's Moon
April 12, 2022 04:00 - 5 minutes - 5.14 MBEpisode notes July Westhale ’13 imagines life in outer space with her forthcoming poetry collection "Moon Moon." On this episode, she gives us a preview with "the world as it is." Find the transcript on our episode page. About our guest July Westhale ’13 holds an MFA in Poetry from Lesley. Westhale is a novelist, translator, and the award-winning author of six books, including "Via Negativa," which Publishers Weekly called "stunning" in a starred review. Her most recent work can be f...
National Poetry Month: Robbie Gamble's Memo to a Border Patrol Agent
April 05, 2022 04:00 - 4 minutes - 4.62 MBOur Poetry Month series returns! Every Tuesday in April we invite a Lesley poet to share a poem and speak briefly about their work. This year, we're starting with Robbie Gamble ’17, who reads and discusses "Memo to the Border Patrol Agent Who Poured Out the Water We Left in the Desert." Find the transcript on the episode page. About our guest Robbie Gamble ’17 holds an MFA in Poetry from Lesley. He is the author of A Can of Pinto Beans, from Lily Poetry Review Press (2022). His poems and ...
How to Read Poetry (and Why) with Kevin Prufer
March 22, 2022 04:00 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MBPoetry is great, right? Why don't we read it more? Poet and professor Kevin Prufer gives us practical ways to start reading poetry and why it's (sometimes) better than fiction. This episode is all to get us ready for National Poetry Month, where we share a poem a week and the inspiration behind it. Check out last year's poems: "The Translator" by Kevin Prufer "As for the Heart" by Erin Belieu "We Be Womxn" by U-Meleni Mhlaba-Adebo Cowboys and "The Dread" by Lydia Leclerc For more inf...
Mean Girls meets Cheer in Hayley Krischer's 'The Falling Girls'
March 01, 2022 05:00 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MBIn Hayley Krischer's "The Falling Girls," a mysterious death, friendship, betrayal, and social media mix to create a "thrilleresque" and compulsively readable young adult novel with inspiration from Mean Girls, Heathers, and Netflix's Cheer. Hayley is a journalist whose work has been featured in the New York Times. In this episode, she talks about her books, rage writing during the pandemic, and her MFA experience with Emily Earle, our social media manager. Check out our episode notes fo...
Hireath is the Welsh word you didn't know you needed
February 15, 2022 05:00 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MBIn her memoir, The Long Field: Wales and the Presence of Absence, Pamela Petro unfurls the meaning of hireath — a Welsh word that encompasses nostalgia, homesickness, and longing — and dissects all that that the word has meant to her as a gay woman, a creative writer, a daughter, a traveler and more. Mentioned in this episode: The Long Field is available from Book Depository Pamela's website Lesley's MFA in Creative Writing low-residency program Learn more about Pamela Petro and more on...
Margaret Chen's 'Suburban Gothic'
February 01, 2022 05:00 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MBMargaret F. Chen's short story collection Suburban Gothic peers behind the facade of life in the 'burbs...and it gets a little dark. In this episode, Margaret discusses her fascination with suburbs, choosing to publish independently, and why she's going to stick to writing short stories. Mentioned in this episode: Lesley University's low-residency MFA in Creative Writing program A Short-Story Writer Publishes on Her Own Terms Kirkus review of Suburban Gothic Suburban Gothic and Three T...
A journey into the 'Blue Desert' with Celia Jeffries
December 14, 2021 05:00 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBIn "Blue Desert," Celia Jeffries tells the story of a young English woman abducted by a nomadic tribe into the Sahara. In this episode, Celia talks about writing a story in a culture and time completely separate from her own as well as her long path to getting published. Celia is a graduate of the Lesley University MFA in Creative Writing program. For more info, visit our episode page. This is our final episode of the year. We'll be back in February with new shows. Email [email protected] if...
How to Survive NaNoWriMo
November 16, 2021 05:00 - 38 minutes - 35.5 MBWe're midway through National Novel Writing Month, and we've got two NaNoWriMo veterans to share their advice. Whether or not you're trying to pen 50,000 words on your novel this month or are thinking about setting writing goals, our NaNoWriMo alums Hurley Winkler and Julia Leef have practical tips for staying the course...and what to do when you don't make those daily word counts. Hurley and Julia are graduates of Lesley University's low-residency MFA in Creative Writing. Learn more about ...
Buki Papillon's debut is No 'Ordinary Wonder'
November 09, 2021 05:00 - 33 minutes - 30.2 MBBuki Papillon talks about her acclaimed debut "An Ordinary Wonder," a coming of age novel about Oto, an intersex teen growing up in Nigeria. Buki, an alumna of our MFA in Creative Writing program, talks about the drive that keeps her writing, rewriting almost her whole book after she got a book deal, and lots more. Janet Pocorobba, interim direct of Lesley University's MFA program, interviews Buki. Find the transcript and more on the episode page.
Writers Should Write Book Reviews with Tony Eprile
October 26, 2021 04:00 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MBMFA in Creative Writing faculty Tony Eprile has reviewed books, and of course, been reviewed. On this episode, he gives us a peak into his workshop on book reviews and shares the reasons why authors should write them, the pitfalls many new reviewers fall into, and the best practices (hint: don't go full Simon Cowell). Mentioned in this episode Colson Whitehead's scathing review of Richard Ford's "The End of the Affair" Parul Sehgal finds racial and gender imbalances in her review of 125...
Celeste Mohammed gives a 'Pleasantview' of Trinidad
October 12, 2021 04:00 - 36 minutes - 33.6 MBThe interconnected short stories in Celeste Mohammed's debut novel, Pleasantview, dispel the myth of Trinidad as a happy-go-lucky island nation, instead revealing it as a complex, troubled, multiracial society. A lawyer turned writer, Celeste discusses the colorful characters in her book, growing up multiracial, writing in patois that is both authentic and readable and more! Read more about Celeste on our episode page. Learn about our low-residency in MFA in Creative Writing program.
Filmmaker Thato Mwosa on 'Memoirs of a Black Girl' and true stories of Africa
September 28, 2021 04:00 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBEven though Lesley University MFA in Creative Writing alum Thato Mwosa grew up in Bostwana, her dolls were white and so were most of the faces on her TV. When American shows like "Sister, Sister," "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," and "Martin" began airing in her country, Thato was enthralled. Now, she is using her varied creative interests to celebrate Black and African people, from her award-winning film Memoirs of a Black Girl, to a book on accomplished African women and even an African triv...
Author Andrea Wang on Growing up Chinese-American in the Midwest
September 14, 2021 04:00 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBChildren's and middle-grade author Andrea Wang talks about her two new releases for young readers—both exploring Chinese-American identity and growing up in the Midwest. Watercress is a gorgeous picture book about feeling out of place, about family and about family history. The Many Meanings of Meilan finds a middle-grade girl dealing with the upheaval of a big move to a small town, racism, and growing up. Lesley University is located in beautiful Cambridge, Massachusetts. Learn more about ...
Why we need to talk about mental health with YA author Cameron Kelly Rosenblum
May 25, 2021 04:00 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBFor our last episode of the season, young adult author Cameron Kelly Rosenblum talks about "The Stepping Off Place," her heartbreaking novel about friendship, mental health, suicide, love and growing up. This episode does discuss suicide at length. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, please seek help. Chat with someone at the Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 1-800-273-8255. You can also text a crisis counselor at 741741. If you live in Canad...
On the High Seas with Travel Writer Chaney Kwak
May 11, 2021 04:00 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBIn his debut, The Passenger: How a Travel Writer Learned to Love Cruises & Other Lies from a Sinking Ship (Godine, June 2021), longtime travel writer Chaney Kwak recounts his harrowing experiences on board the Viking Sky cruise ship that, in 2019, nearly capsized. Chaney was living in Berlin, Germany, and freelancing for publications such as The New York Times when he began his MFA studies in fiction at Lesley University. He has contributed to Condé Nast Traveler, Afar, Travel & Leisure, ...
National Poetry Month: 'The Translator' by Kevin Prufer
April 27, 2021 20:00 - 6 minutes - 6.29 MBIt's the final week of our National Poetry Month series, and we're joined by Pulitzer Prize-nominated poet Kevin Prufer who reads and discusses 'The Translator,' a poem from his most recent collection The Art of Fiction. Kevin is a member of Lesley University's low residency MFA in Creative Writing program. Among his many awards are four Pushcart prizes. His poems have appeared in Best American Poetry multiple times. Kevin has written a number of poetry collections, including How He Loved...
National Poetry Month: 'As for the Heart' by Erin Belieu
April 20, 2021 04:00 - 7 minutes - 7.24 MBFor National Poetry Month, we've invited one poet from our community to share a poem and a little about their process. This week, acclaimed poet Erin Belieu reads her poem "As for the Heart," written during the pandemic and published in her latest collection, Come Hither, Honeycomb. Erin Belieu is the author of Infanta, chosen by Hayden Carruth for the National Poetry Series; One Above & One Below, winner of the Midland Authors Prize and Ohioana Poetry Award; Black Box, a Los Angeles Tim...
National Poetry Month: 'We Be Womxn' by U-Meleni Mhlaba-Adebo
April 13, 2021 04:00 - 7 minutes - 6.74 MBIt's National Poetry Month and we're doing things a little differently this month. Each week in April, we're inviting one poet from the Lesley community to share some of their verses and talk about their work. Zimbabwean-American poet U-Meleni Mhlaba-Adebo shares two poems, her Cyrano de Bergerac beginnings, and more. U-Meleni is a graduate of our master's in education program. Check out our episode page where you'll find more on U-Meleni, a transcript of this episode, links to our progra...
National Poetry Month: Cowboys & 'the Dread'
April 06, 2021 04:00 - 5 minutes - 5.17 MBIt's National Poetry Month and we're doing things a little differently. Each week in April, we're inviting one poet from the Lesley community to share a poem and share their inspiration. Our first guest is Lydia Leclerc, a current student in the poetry track of our MFA in Creative Writing program, who shares "Cowboys Will Come Up with New Terms for Psychological Conditions" and the backstory. Find our show notes and transcript on our episode page.
The Shape of Poetry with Katya Zinn
March 16, 2021 04:00 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MBKatya Zinn's debut book of poetry "human versus" explores the multiverse, mental health, trauma, loss, and healing. In our interview, she talks about the double entendres in her book, putting herself on the page, and her multidimensional view of poetry (literally)! "human verses" is out now from Finishing Line Press. Read more about Katya and links to her book and our profile of her on our episode page.
Writing Under Pressure: Creating During the Pandemic
March 02, 2021 05:00 - 35 minutes - 32.8 MBWith all the extra time at home during the pandemic, it seems like we all should have written multiple books and launched amazing creative projects….but that's probably not reality. Author and writing mentor Tracey Baptiste has some advice for writing under pressure and during the pandemic, starting with some wisdom we really love: take naps and stay hydrated. Tracey Baptiste is the author of the popular middle-grade Jumbies novels and a faculty member in Lesley University's MFA in Creativ...
My Captain America: Remembering a comic book artist grandfather
February 16, 2021 05:00 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MBIn her debut, My Captain America: A Granddaughter's Memoir of a Legendary Comic Book Artist, Megan Margulies writes about coming of age in New York and her beloved “Daddy Joe,” aka her grandfather Joe Simon, a cartoonist and co-creator of Captain America. In this episode, Megan discusses her relationship with her grandfather, writing as a mother of young kids, getting the perfect cover for her book, and having her mom read her work. Fellow memoirist and Lesley University MFA in Creative Wr...
Boston poet Steven Cramer on writing, rewriting, and adaptation
February 02, 2021 05:00 - 41 minutes - 38 MBProfessor Steven Cramer is the founder of our MFA in Creative Writing program and the author of multiple books of poetry, including Clangings and Listen. Steven’s work has appeared in publications such as The Paris Review, Ploughshares, Slate, The Atlantic Monthly, and many others. In this episode, Patty is interviewed by alumna Andrea Read. For the transcript and more podcast info, visit our episode page.
Conspiracy, Nixon and Watergate...for kids
December 22, 2020 05:00 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBPatty O'Connell Pearson's latest book "Conspiracy: Nixon, Watergate, and Democracy's Defenders" is a middle-grade nonfiction book that explains the inner workings of the Watergate Scandal. In this episode, Patty, talks about how she came to love history, the importance of defending democracy, and how her book relates to current events. Check out our episode page for more information and the transcript.
Graphic novelist Sophie Goldstein's 'Embarassment of Witches'
December 08, 2020 05:00 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBGraphic novelist and illustrator Sophie Goldstein talks about her latest book "An Embarrassment of Witches," collaborating with her coauthor Jenn Jordan, Patreon, and more! Sophie Goldstein is a faculty member in Lesley University's MFA in Creative Writing program's new graphic novel track. Find out more about Sophie and our program on our episode page.
Coming of age during the Vietnam War on 'Sybelia Drive'
November 17, 2020 05:00 - 29 minutes - 27.2 MBKarin Cecile Davidson talks about her debut Sybelia Drive, a coming of age novel told from multiple perspectives and set in Florida during the turbulent Vietnam Era. At its heart, the book is about friendship, loss, grief, and hope. In this episode, Karin talks about turning short stories into a novel, her ties to the Gulf Coast, and the research she did to properly honor those who fought in the Vietnam war. Find the transcript for this episode, links mentioned and more on the episode page.
Children's book author and illustrator Julia Denos is 'Starcrossed'
November 03, 2020 05:00 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBJulia Denos's new book Starcrossed features two socially distanced friends. One lives on earth, one in the stars. Julia, talks about the origins of the story, mindfulness for children, painting, and why we need new creators. Lesley Assistant Director for Social Media Emily Earle conducts the interview. About the guest Julia Denos is an author and illustrator of books for children. Sometimes she writes the books, sometimes she illustrates them, and sometimes she does both. Julia's books i...
Debut poet Jennifer LeBlanc on myth and mysteries
October 20, 2020 04:00 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBJennifer LeBlanc speaks about her debut book Descent, which employs imagination and myth to create deeply immersive poems. Jennifer is interviewed by former Boston Poet Laureate and Lesley University Professor Danielle Legros Georges. For more information, visit our episode page.
'Teaching While Black': a poet explores racism in the classroom
October 06, 2020 04:00 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MBWriting 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 website Why We Write homepage
Nigerian-American author debuts novel in verse
September 22, 2020 04:00 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBCandice 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 Nigerian-American teen struggling with her sexuality, her father's faith, and finding her place in college. Candice Iloh's website Pick up "Every Body Looking" The 2020 National Book Awards Longlist: Young People’s Literature Find all our episodes, show notes, and transcripts.
Celebrating 30 Years of Commonthought Magazine
June 09, 2020 04:00 - 30 minutes - 27.9 MBWe 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, Professor Anne Pluto and Senior Lecturer Chris Clark, visit our episode page.
'For Black Girls Only' explores transracial adoption, mental health & growing up
May 19, 2020 04:00 - 28 minutes - 26.6 MBMariama 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. Mariama talks about her own experiences growing up black with white parents, how her educational experience formed her book, and the 10-year process of writing and rewriting her novel. For more information on Mariama, the podcast and our other episodes, visit our podcast page.
Sit Down and Write
May 05, 2020 04:00 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MBWhat'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 published authors share their writing habits and talk about their new books. In this episode, we talk about the effect that the coronavirus is having on the writing process and for authors with new books coming out, as well as Emily and Cassie's favorite writing tips. Sign up for Sit Down and Writ...
Writing workshop with Jason Reynolds
April 21, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 70.5 MBBest-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: Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi Beloved by Toni Morrison Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead I saw Emmett Till this week at the grocery store by Eve L. Ewing When You Learn the Alphabet by Kendra Allen Girl by J...
'My City of Dreams' explores a family torn apart by the Holocaust
March 03, 2020 05:00 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBIn 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 apart by the Holocaust. Learn more about Gruenberg, Lesley University's low-residency creative writing program and our other episodes at lesley.edu/podcast.
Writing Master Class: A.J. Verdelle on writing scenes
February 18, 2020 05:00 - 58 minutes - 53.8 MB"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 into writing scene for all genres and why it's a necessary skill for any aspiring author. Find the story arc and books mentioned in this episode on our podcast page.
A Syrian kid comes to Ohio in Jasmine Warga's 'Other Words for Home'
December 17, 2019 05:15 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBJasmine 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 as she adjusts to her new home in Cincinnati even as she experiences uncertainty and fear. Visit our episode page for more information on Jasmine.