DIY MFA Radio

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

Hey there word nerds! Today I am delighted to have author and journalist Steven Gaines on the show! Steven is the bestselling author of a number of biographies and nonfiction books including Philistines at the Hedgerow: Passion and Property in the Hamptons and The Love You Make: An Insider's Story of the Beatles. His journalism has appeared in several major publications such as Vanity Fair and The New York Times, and he is the co-founder and past vice-chairman of the Hamptons International Film Festival. After decades of writing the life stories of others, Steven's latest work, his memoir One of these Things First, showcases a defining moment in his own life. Listen in as we chat about the literary art of writing a memoir that is both truthful, and tells an engaging story for readers. In this episode Steven and I discuss: How to identify the juicy moments of your life to craft into a memoir. Finding, but not clinging, to the "tent pole" of your story. Pushing the story forward and staying true to the events. The role of humor in memoir, and how to do it right. The when, where, and how of releasing your story to the world. Plus, Steven's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/195

Hey there word nerds! Today I am so excited to have my good friend and mentor Jane Friedman on the show! Jane has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in digital media strategy for authors and publishers. She is the co-founder of The Hot Sheet (my go-to resource about the industry), is a columnist for Publishers Weekly, and has been interviewed on many prestigious media outlets like NPR, PBS, and The Washington Post. In addition to all these accomplishments, Jane has delivered keynotes and presentations on the digital era of authorship at major writing events and today she is here to share her expertise with an inside look at her new book The Business of Being a Writer. Listen in as we chat about the topic Jane discusses in her book and the ins and outs of the business side of writing most creatives don't often talk about but need to hear. In this episode Jane and I discuss: Bridging the divide between art and business. Developing your own marketing strategy to make a living as a writer. Understanding the truth about how the publishing industry works. Tips for building your own business model. How to be entrepreneurial in your writing career without being an entrepreneur. Plus, Jane's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/194

Hey there word nerds! Today I have the distinct pleasure of having acclaimed writer and actor Michael Imperioli on the show! Though Michael is best known for playing Christopher Moltisanti in the The Sopranos, a role that earned him an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor, he is also an accomplished screenwriter. He wrote five episodes of The Sopranos and was co-screenwriter for the film Summer of Sam which was directed by Spike Lee. While still acting and writing for film and TV, with several upcoming projects in the works, Michael has also turned his artistic talent to novel writing with his debut The Perfume Burned His Eyes. Listen in as we chat about this amazing book, and how to know when you've found the story to take all the way to the end. In this episode Michael and I discuss: Finding your story and taking it to the finish line. Adding layers to your story with a unique narrative framework. When to use an epilogue and how to do it right. The advantages of novel writing vs. screenwriting. The fine art of book covers and why you need the right one. Plus, Michael's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/193

Hey there word nerds! Today I am delighted to have David Plante on the show! David grew up in Providence, Rhode Island, within a French-Canadian parrish, much the same way as Jack Kerouac did in Lowell, Massachusetts, in an area which was known in the 17h century as La Nouvelle France. David has written several books rooted in La Nouvelle France, most notably in The Family, a contender for the National Book Award. He then went on to live in London for fifty years where he wrote several memoirs including Becoming a Londoner and Worlds Apart. David is also the author of the nonfiction book Difficult Women which has recently been republished by The New York Review of Books Press, and has been a regular contributor to the New Yorker with short stories and profiles of people he knew. David is calling in to the show today from his home in Lucca, Italy, to discuss his most recent novel American Stranger. Listen in as we chat about the elements that went into crafting this novel, and how writing can give you a voice and identity belonging to only you. Also, just a quick heads up if you have not yet read American Stranger. We got so excited talking about the book that we may have disclosed a few spoilers… so SPOILER ALERT! In this episode David and I discuss: How he unboxed Franco-American culture through the eyes of an outsider. Why not having identity can actually be liberating, and can also help you find your writing voice. Crafting a timeless novel by grounding the story with details. The best way to deal with a bad review… (all authors get them!). Drawing inspiration from a writer's day in Italy. Plus, David's #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: DIYMFA.com/192