From debut authors to Pulitzer Prize winners, Writers on Writing tackles a little of everything — novels, short stories, memoir, poetry, and more, as well as interviews with agents and publishers.
Unlike other shows dedicated to discussing books, we focus on the art, craft, and business of writing. Writers appreciate the opportunity to talk about the artistic elements of their job — the thousands of decisions that must be made to produce a manuscript. There’s no aspect of craft, creativity, and publishing we don’t explore.
We’ve hosted well over 1,500 authors on the show including Elizabeth Strout, S.A. Cosby, Ann Patchett, Amor Towles, and George Saunders. Expert advice from some of the industry’s top writers allows us to offer a show that’s been called “your own personal MFA program” (with no financial strain).
Host: Barbara DeMarco-Barrett
Host: Marrie Stone
Music and sound editing by Travis Barrett
Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Spotify, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.
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EPISODES
(2001 - present)
Novelists Swan Huntley and Affinity Konar with Co-Host Nicole Nelson
Debut novelist Swan Huntley, author of We Could Be Beautiful talks with co-host Nicole Nelson about how writing in the first person allows her to explore the space between what a character is telling us and what we know to be true, how she came to the realization that her original ending wasn't right for the story, and how she discovered her process as an outliner.
In the second half, novelist Affinity Konar, author of Mischling, talks about how her story grew from hearing dialogue in her head between twins, about going "sound-first" into words, and thus being drawn to the word "Mischling" in spite of its ugly meaning and history, and her writing advice to honor your obsessions.
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[Note: Swan Huntley's reading selection was cut down due to audio issues; therefore, her reading starts in the middle of her first chapter, not the beginning.]
(Broadcast date: September 14, 2016)
In the second half, novelist Affinity Konar, author of Mischling, talks about how her story grew from hearing dialogue in her head between twins, about going "sound-first" into words, and thus being drawn to the word "Mischling" in spite of its ugly meaning and history, and her writing advice to honor your obsessions.
Download audio.
[Note: Swan Huntley's reading selection was cut down due to audio issues; therefore, her reading starts in the middle of her first chapter, not the beginning.]
(Broadcast date: September 14, 2016)
Nora Raleigh Baskin and Alexander Weinstein
Young adult author Nora Raleigh Baskin joins Marrie Stone to discuss her new middle-grade novel, Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story. She discusses survivor's guilt, unprocessed emotion and how books for young readers can be the best way to explore difficult subject-matter, rules for middle grade writers, and more.
In the second half, Alexander Weinstein joins to talk about his debut short story collection, Children of the New World. He talks about experimental fiction, inventive structures for a story, point of view choices, knowing when things aren't working, as well as a host of practical advice for writers. Here's a review of the book in the New York Times Book Review.
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(Broadcast date: September 7, 2016)
In the second half, Alexander Weinstein joins to talk about his debut short story collection, Children of the New World. He talks about experimental fiction, inventive structures for a story, point of view choices, knowing when things aren't working, as well as a host of practical advice for writers. Here's a review of the book in the New York Times Book Review.
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(Broadcast date: September 7, 2016)
Tin House editor and memoirist Rob Spillman and Lit agent Leigh Eisenman
Rob Spillman, author of All Tomorrow's Parties and NYC literary agent Leigh Eisenman talks with Barbara about the art and craft of writing memoir, Berlin, how being an editor helps or hinders being an author, what agents are looking for, and more.
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(Broadcast date: Sept. 21, 2016)
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(Broadcast date: Sept. 21, 2016)
Dana Johnson and Anna Solomon with co-host Nicole Nelson
Dana Johnson, author of the short story collection In the Not Quite Dark talks with co-host Nicole Nelson about how her journalism background informs her documentarian approach to writing about place, the value of reversal in constructing tension, and her affection for the short story form.
In the second half, novelist Anna Solomon, author of Leaving Lucy Pear, talks about her process of having a good idea of the story but not overthinking it in the first draft, the various kinds of research that went into writing a story that takes place in the Prohibition Era, the art of motivating coincidence in a story when a lot is at stake, and how a Post-it note that says, "You will fail," is her key to writing freely.
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(Broadcast date: August 31, 2016)
In the second half, novelist Anna Solomon, author of Leaving Lucy Pear, talks about her process of having a good idea of the story but not overthinking it in the first draft, the various kinds of research that went into writing a story that takes place in the Prohibition Era, the art of motivating coincidence in a story when a lot is at stake, and how a Post-it note that says, "You will fail," is her key to writing freely.
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(Broadcast date: August 31, 2016)
Kaui Hart Hemmings
Marrie Stone talks with bestselling author of The Descendants, Kaui Hart Hemmings about her latest novel, How to Party with an Infant. Kaui talks about writing from real life, writing humor, navigating voice, and more.
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(Record date: August, 2016)
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(Record date: August, 2016)
Jennifer Armstrong and Lev AC Rosen Talk with Barbara DeMarco-Barrett
Jennifer Armstrong, author of Seinfeldia, and Lev AC Rosen, author of Depth and The Memory Wall, talk with show host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett about their books and the art and craft--and business--of writing.
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(Broadcast date: August 24, 2016) More on the show at www.penonfire.com
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(Broadcast date: August 24, 2016) More on the show at www.penonfire.com
Authors Natashia Deón and Judith D. Schwartz with Nicole Nelson
Debut novelist Natashia Deón, author of Grace, talks to co-host Nicole Nelson about writing complex characters, letting readers laugh in tense situations, taking her story from a screenplay to a novel, and getting to a place of honesty.
In the second half, environmental journalist Judith D. Schwartz, author of Water in Plain Sight: Hope for a Thirsty World talks about how highlighting hope is important when writing about climate change, how her career in journalism evolved, how technology has affected her reading life, and more.
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(Broadcast date: August 17, 2016)
In the second half, environmental journalist Judith D. Schwartz, author of Water in Plain Sight: Hope for a Thirsty World talks about how highlighting hope is important when writing about climate change, how her career in journalism evolved, how technology has affected her reading life, and more.
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(Broadcast date: August 17, 2016)
Patrick Ryan and Ottessa Moshfegh
Short story writer and editor Patrick Ryan, author of The Dream Life of Astronauts, talks with Marrie Stone about the short story form, writing from the space of childhood, how being an editor impacts his writing, how stories reveal themselves over time, and more.
In the second half, Ottessa Moshfegh joins to talk about her novel, Eileen. Moshfegh creates psychologically complex and challenging characters, and talks about her intense relationship with the people she creates, what fuels her, what satisfies her, and why her novel will leave a lasting and important impression.
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(Broadcast date: August 10, 2016)
In the second half, Ottessa Moshfegh joins to talk about her novel, Eileen. Moshfegh creates psychologically complex and challenging characters, and talks about her intense relationship with the people she creates, what fuels her, what satisfies her, and why her novel will leave a lasting and important impression.
Download audio.
(Broadcast date: August 10, 2016)
Molly Antopol & Brad Watson
Short story writer Molly Antopol, author of The UnAmericans, returns to talk with Marrie Stone about craft, inspiration, family history, and the role of art and fiction in an uncertain and unstable world.
In the second half, Brad Watson joins to share his latest novel, Miss Jane. He talks about the power of inhabiting another POV, writing from a different time and place, how relationships and intersections between characters can create powerful plot, and more.
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(Broadcast date: July 27, 2016)
In the second half, Brad Watson joins to share his latest novel, Miss Jane. He talks about the power of inhabiting another POV, writing from a different time and place, how relationships and intersections between characters can create powerful plot, and more.
Download audio.
(Broadcast date: July 27, 2016)
Poetry Panel with Kim Dower, Dean Rader & Tess Taylor
Marrie Stone hosts a poetry panel with poets Kim Dower, Last Train to the Missing Planet; Tess Taylor, Work and Days; and Dean Rader, Self-Portrait as a Wikipedia Entry (forthcoming).
The panel discusses poetry as both fiction and nonfiction, why everyone should be reading poems, why you shouldn't be scared of poetry, what a good poem can do for your soul, how to teach poetry, and much more.
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(Broadcast date: June 1, 2016)
The panel discusses poetry as both fiction and nonfiction, why everyone should be reading poems, why you shouldn't be scared of poetry, what a good poem can do for your soul, how to teach poetry, and much more.
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(Broadcast date: June 1, 2016)
Novelists J.J. Amaworo Wilson and Edan Lepucki on with Barbara DeMarco-Barrett
Novelists JJ Amaworo Wilson, author of Damnificados, and Edan Lepucki, author of California, talk with author/host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett about getting the setting just right, flashbacks, alternating points of view, keeping a journal, cliffhangers, sequels, and more.
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(Broadcast date: August 3, 2016)
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(Broadcast date: August 3, 2016)
Daniel Calvisi, author of Story Maps: TV Drama, and memoirist George Hodgman, author of Bettyville talk with Barbara about writing for TV and why if you want to be a screenwriter, TV is the way to go, while George talks about leaving NYC to move to Missouri, his hometown, to care for his mother. One of my favorite memoirs of all time.
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(Broadcast date: July 6, 2016)
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(Broadcast date: July 6, 2016)
Playwright Dan duling and scriptwriter William Rabkin
Dan Duling, playwright and scriptwriter (for the last 36 years) at Pageant of the Masters, Laguna Beach, and William Rabkin, author of Writing the Pilot.
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(Broadcast date: July 20, 2016)
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(Broadcast date: July 20, 2016)
Rick Bass & Mary Roach
Short story legend Rick Bass joins co-host Marrie Stone to talk about his latest collection, For a Little While. The conversation underscores how difficult it is to talk about the writing process, the elusive nature of good fiction, the feral qualities of the short story, and why most rules so often don't apply.
In the second half, the hilarious and irreverent science writer Mary Roach joins to talk about her latest, Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War. She talks about keeping her voice and humor in the face of serious subject matter, the value of a strong editor, what makes a subject matter "Roach worthy," and more.
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(Broadcast date: June 29, 2016)
In the second half, the hilarious and irreverent science writer Mary Roach joins to talk about her latest, Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War. She talks about keeping her voice and humor in the face of serious subject matter, the value of a strong editor, what makes a subject matter "Roach worthy," and more.
Download audio.
(Broadcast date: June 29, 2016)
Zora O'Neill and Chris McCormick on with Barbara DeMarco-Barrett
Travel writer and memoirist Zora O'Neill, author of All Strangers are Kin, and fiction writer Chris McCormick, author of the story collection Desert Boys talk with Barbara about--what else?--writing.
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(Broadcast date: July 6, 2016)
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(Broadcast date: July 6, 2016)
Rebecca Schiff and Molly Prentiss with Nicole Nelson
Rebecca Schiff, author of The Bed Moved, talks to co-host Nicole Nelson about finding her voice, revision being the place where much of her characteristic sparseness and humor get sharpened, and her advice to write from a place of being excited rather than to be attached to what you have written.
In the second half, Molly Prentiss, author of Tuesday Nights in 1980, talks about the feelings of doubt that artists face, the conflicts in her story and how they evolved over time, and the value of coincidence in drama.
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(Broadcast date: June 22, 2016)
In the second half, Molly Prentiss, author of Tuesday Nights in 1980, talks about the feelings of doubt that artists face, the conflicts in her story and how they evolved over time, and the value of coincidence in drama.
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(Broadcast date: June 22, 2016)
Asali Solomon and Tracy Barone with Nicole Nelson
Asali Solomon, author of Disgruntled, talks to co-host Nicole Nelson about writing a young protagonist, developing characters from plot, taking an episodic approach to novel writing, and more.
In the second half, debut novelist Tracy Barone, author of Happy Family, talks about pacing the novel, drawing from her experience as a screenwriter and playwright, and writing toward an end that she envisioned early on.
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(Broadcast date: June 8, 2016)
In the second half, debut novelist Tracy Barone, author of Happy Family, talks about pacing the novel, drawing from her experience as a screenwriter and playwright, and writing toward an end that she envisioned early on.
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(Broadcast date: June 8, 2016)
Karan Bajaj and Christopher LeGras
Karan Bajaj joins Marrie Stone to talk about his latest novel, The Yoga of Max's Discontent. Karan discusses the importance of showing character through action instead of reflection, how yoga and meditation have improved his writing, the value of living a bold life, and more.
In the second half, Chris LeGras shares his debut novel in stories, Weather to Fly. Chris talks about writing the book you want to write, instead of the book you think the world wants. He argues that living a rich life of varied experiences produces rich books of interest. Story, he says, is more important than fancy words. Click below to hear many more words of writerly wisdom.
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(Broadcast date: June 15, 2016)
In the second half, Chris LeGras shares his debut novel in stories, Weather to Fly. Chris talks about writing the book you want to write, instead of the book you think the world wants. He argues that living a rich life of varied experiences produces rich books of interest. Story, he says, is more important than fancy words. Click below to hear many more words of writerly wisdom.
Download audio.
(Broadcast date: June 15, 2016)
Charles Bock
Charles Bock joins Marrie Stone to talk about his latest novel, Alice and Oliver. Charles shares his insights on fictionalizing real life events, his process of finding character, capturing New York in the 1990s, and his own emotional account of living with -- and in the aftermath of -- cancer.
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(Broadcast date: May 11, 2016)
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(Broadcast date: May 11, 2016)
Novelists Dana Spiotta & Jung Yun
Dana Spiotta, author of Innocents and Others, and Jung Yun, author of Shelter talk with Barbara about outlines or the lack thereof, POV, tense, film, home invasions, where stories come from, and much more.
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(Broadcast date: May 25, 2016)
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(Broadcast date: May 25, 2016)