DIY MFA Radio

Hey there word nerds! Welcome to the 2018 Epic BookExpo Recap episode! If you don’t already know what BookExpo is, it’s the big industry trade show that takes place in the United States every year, and today it’s going to be just me talking to you about this awesome event! This year, the big thing was the idea of the Reimagined BookExpo, so I wanted to give you a rundown of what’s new, what’s still the same, and what I think all these things say about the book industry as a whole. Listen in as I chat with you about what the Reimagined BookExpo looks like, and some new and exciting trends I saw in the publishing industry. In this episode, I give you an inside look at: Then and now, how BookExpo has changed over the years. Knowing your audience, BookExpo vs. BookCon. New trends and themes in the publishing industry that jumped out at me. The broadening definition of diversity. Plus a teaser about the types of books I was most excited to check out, and why. For more info an show notes: DIYMFA.com/205

Hey there word nerds! Today I am so excited to have Michael Zadoorian on the show! Michael is an author and recipient of numerous awards such as the Michigan Notable Book award, and the Kresge Artist Fellowship. His writing has appeared in several prestigious journals including The Literary Review and American Short Fiction, as well as in multiple anthologies including Detroit Noir. He is the author of The Leisure Seeker—which was recently made into a film starring Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland—as well as the novel Second Hand and the story collection The Lost Tiki Palaces of Detroit. His latest novel, Beautiful Music, is a coming of age story set against the backdrop of his hometown of Detroit in the 1970’s and is available now. Listen in as we talk about this amazing book, and how to enrich your story with sensory writing. In this episode Michael and I discuss: How to determine the genre label for your story by finding your audience. Conveying sound through your characters’ emotions. Engaging all five senses of your reader. The role of parents in a literary coming of age story. Creating a strong sense of place in your writing. Plus, Michael’s #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/204

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of interviewing author Cynthia Grady on the show! Cynthia has earned master’s degrees in Children’s Literature, Library Science, and the Classics. She taught elementary school in her home state of California and was a children’s librarian for seventeen years before relocating to New Mexico where she now writes books for young readers. She is the author of a book of poetry for children and two nonfiction picture books. The latest of her picture books, Write to Me: Letters from Japanese American Children to the Librarian They Left Behind, is the story of Clara Breed the librarian who offered hope and comfort to Japanese American children through books during their internment in World War II. Listen in as we talk about this beautiful book, and how the power of story can comfort and connect us. In this episode Cynthia and I discuss: Using primary sources to assemble a picture book biography. How to strategically negotiate for your illustrations as an author. Tips to write engaging nonfiction for young readers. Tackling serious topics in picture books. The benefits of productive procrastination. Plus, Cynthia’s #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/203

Hey there word nerds! Today I am so excited to be speaking with NoNieqa Ramos on the show! NoNieqa is an award-winning educator, literary activist, and writer of “intense” young adult literature. She is also a passionate supporter of the #weneeddiversebooks and #ownvoices movements. Her debut novel The Disturbed Girl’s Dictionary has gotten stunning reception including a  Booklist starred review that called her “a voice to watch” with “exceptional writing and compassionate realism.” NoNieqa is currently joining us live from the school where she teaches (and where her book is set). Listen in as we chat about her amazing debut and how to create strong characters that elicits an emotional response from readers. Also, just a quick heads up, for the first time ever on DIY MFA Radio we have a teeny bit of explicit language towards the end of the interview. Due to the nature of the discussion I decided not to bleep anything out, but I wanted to let you know in case you have small children in the room or you, yourself, are not comfortable with explicit language. Now let’s dive into the interview! In this episode NoNieqa and I discuss: Tips for getting inside your character’s mind. Why you should make the reader work to piece the story together. The art of writing a realistically flawed character. Using language to show a character’s true voice without losing your reader. The importance of knowing what you are not willing to surrender in your writing. Plus, NoNieqa’s #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/202

Hey there word nerds! Today I am so excited to have debut author Kimmery Martin on the show! Kimmery is an emergency medical doctor and, like me, a life-long literary nerd. On top of being a doctor, an author, and a mom, she writes book reviews and volunteers with the library foundation in her home of Charlotte, North Carolina. Her debut novel, The Queen of Hearts, has been named one of the most anticipated books of 2018 by Southern Living, Elite Daily, and Writer’s Digest. Set against the backdrop of hospital rounds, Kimmery’s medical knowledge and quirky sense of humor makes the story pop right off the page. Listen in as we chat about this amazing debut novel, and get an inside look at Kimmery’s revision process. In this episode Kimmery and I discuss: Translating your real life experience to a fictional world. Tips to bring your minor characters to life. Why you need to find the revision process that works for you. Finding the right voice for your novel. How to restructure your life to prioritize (not find) writing time. Plus, Kimmery’s #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/201

Hey there word nerds! OMG DIY MFA Radio is 200 episodes old! Whether you’ve been with me since the beginning of this journey or are just tuning in now, thank you for listening. Since this is our 200th episode, we’re doing things a little bit differently. Instead of being the interviewer, my producer Marielle Orff takes over the show and puts me in the hot seat. In case some of you don’t know her yet, Marielle is the content strategist at DIY MFA. As such she as her fingers in pretty much every piece of content that gets sent out by us. She edits the podcast and helps curate the lineup, manages the articles that go up on the website, and helps curate the newsletter and our social media. As such it seemed only natural to have her interview me for your 200th episode extravaganza! Listen in as Marielle and I geek out about podcasts, platform building, and give you an inside look at what’s coming up in DIY MFA. In this episode Marielle and I discuss: Getting from no to yes with publishers, agents, and podcasts. Pitching faux pas, and how to avoid them. Sustaining a huge project for the long haul. Putting yourself out there while still finding your voice. An inside look at the wish list of DIY MFA Radio! Plus, both of our #1 tips for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/200

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of talking with Dharma Kelleher on the show! Dharma Kelleher is the author of several gritty crime fiction novels from a transgender/queer perspective. She has worked as a radio news director and is a current member of Sisters in Crime, the International Thriller Writers, and the Alliance of Independent Authors. Dharma traditionally published her first series, the Shea Stevens biker series, before deciding to go the indie route for her latest thriller. Her new book, Chaser, is the first book in her Jinx Ballou Bounty Hunter series and is available now. Listen in as we chat about this awesome book, and giving accurate voice to transgender communties in literature. In this episode Dharma and I discuss: Crafting a multifaceted and realistic transgender character. The need for accuracy not sensitivity when portraying a marginalized community. Dharma’s two-pronged attack for avoiding the echo chamber of niche marketing. Marketing challenges in indie publishing vs. traditional publishing. How to build your following with an email newsletter. Plus, Dharma’s #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/199

Hey there word nerds! Today I am so excited to be talking with Will Dowd on the show! Will Dowd is a writer and artist from the Boston area. He earned a BA from Boston College, an MS from MIT,and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University. His writing and art have appeared in many notable places, including LitHub and Tin House online. Will’s debut collection of essays, Areas of Fog, which takes readers on the whimsical and unpredictable journey of one year of New England weather, was released by Etruscan press in November 2017. Listen in as we chat about this thought-provoking essay collection, and staying true to your voice even when the world tries to dampen it. In this episode Will and I discuss: Finding the unique but universal concept for your writing to latch on to. Learning to turn down the volume of your inner critic. How the argumentative nature of the internet affects the personal essay. What techniques to use to craft an essay, with an example from Will. The importance of being compassionate with yourself as a writer. Plus, Will’s #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/198

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of hosting debut novelist Kate Greathead on the show! Kate is a graduate of Wesleyan University and the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College. Her work has appeared in some pretty impressive places such as The New York Times and Vanity Fair, and she is a 9-time Moth Story Slam champion. Her debut novel Laura & Emma takes place on the Upper East Side in New York City where Kate spent her formative years, though she currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband, the writer Teddy Wayne (who has appeared on DIY MFA Radio previously). Listen in as we chat about this amazing book, and get an honest look at what being a working author really looks like. In this episode Kate and I discuss: The art of “stealing” your story’s structure. Showing the bizarre of a normal setting with micro details. Why you should craft a protagonist that makes readers cringe Knowing when to use the bulldozer in your revision process. Tips to deal with the pain of slashing out scenes. Plus, Kate’s #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/197

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the pleasure of hosting award-winning author Nathaniel Philbrick on the show! Nathaniel is the New York Times bestselling author of Valiant Ambition, Sea of Glory, and The Last Stand, as well as a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his book Mayflower. His book In the Heart of the Sea which not only won the National Book Award, but was made into a major motion picture a few years back starring Chris Hemsworth. Nathaniel is also the author of Second Wind, which is a memoir chronicling a pivotal moment in his writing career. This book was originally published way back in 1999 by a small New England Press and has now been given another publication run by Penguin. Listen in as we chat about the return of this awesome book, and get an inside look into Nathaniel’s meticulous writing process.   In this episode Nathaniel and I discuss: Reading the room, and other skills to cultivate when speaking about your book. The challenges of writing memoir vs. nonfiction. Why you need to be remorseless in editing. Ways to escape being landlocked on your own writing island. How to make your memoir universal. Plus, Nathaniel’s #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/196