60: If You Want to Write About Death and Get Published, Write the Truth

In this episode we’re talking about writing about death. We have a story by Leslie Gray Streeter, a columnist for the Palm Beach Post who also contributes to Modern Loss,    the online magazine dedicated to normalizing the way we talk about loss. Leslie’s story is called, What I did with My Husband’s Life Insurance Money. Leslie uses humor and a conversational style when writing about the death of her husband, the same humor and voice she’d use to write about anything.

We also speak with Gabrielle Birkner, the editor and co-founder of Modern Loss and editor of a book with the same name. Gabi reveals her process of editing and publishing stories about death. She also speaks about working with writers who are often, not only writing about very difficult and personal topics, but also submitting stories for publication for the first time.

Writing Class Radio is a podcast where you’ll hear true personal stories from the students in our class and learn a little about how to write your own stories. Writing Class Radio is equal parts heart and art. By heart we mean the truth in a story. By art we mean the craft of writing. No matter what’s going on in our lives, writing class is where we tell the truth. It’s where we work out our shit, and figure out who we are. There’s no place in the world like writing class and we want to bring you in.

Writing Class Radio is co-hosted by Allison Langer (www.allisonlanger.com) and Andrea Askowitz (www.andreaaskowitz.com). Writing Class Radio is produced by Virginia Lora, Andrea Askowitz and Allison Langer. Writing Class Radio is sponsored by The Launchpad at The University of Miami which aims to make the practice of entrepreneurship available to all students and alumni. This episode is also sponsored by the podcast, Made Visible. Made Visible is hosted by Harper Spero who struggles with a hidden illness. She uses her podcast to bring other people’s hidden illnesses to light. This episode is also sponsored by Allison Langer, writing coach and editor. Theme music is by Justina Shandler.Additional music is by Podington Bear. You can find all our music on our website. There’s more writing class on ourwebsite (www.writingclassradio.com), twitter (@wrtgclassradio) and Facebook. Writing Class Radio is now open to submissions from our listeners. Go to the submissions page on our website for guidelines. We pay! If you want to be a part of the movement that brings people together through storytelling, please go to writingclassradio.com and hit the DONATE button.