Memoir Nation
Brooke Warner and Grant Faulkner
Memoir Nation: Weekly Inspiration for Writers is an extension of the Memoir Nation community hosted by Brooke Warner and Grant Faulkner, two friends and colleagues who bring a community-minded sensibility to the writing journey. Originally launched as Write-minded in 2018, this is a weekly writing podcast that focuses on memoir and personal writing, as well as industry trends and tips and resources for writers and authors. Memoir Nation features a segment called Book Alley at the end of each episode to talk about recent memoirs that authors have sent Brooke and Grant, or memoirs they've discovered that are thought provoking or have sparked inspiration. Brooke and Grant bring to this weekly podcast their deeply held belief that everyone is a writer, and everyone’s story matters. Discover more about Memoir Nation at memoirnation.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 6, 2024 • 38min
Grief: The Hardest Emotion to Write, featuring Claire Jiménez
Author Claire Jiménez discusses the challenges of writing about grief, incorporating humor and historical contexts into her new book about a child's disappearance. The hosts share their own experiences with grief and the importance of authenticity in writing. They explore the evolution of a story from a short piece to a novel and touch on societal pressures around mourning.
Apr 29, 2024 • 35min
Creating New Forms—and Rearranging the Alphabet, featuring Elwin Cotman
Elwin Cotman, an established writer, discusses breaking traditional form boundaries in his new story collection. Grant announces his departure from NaNoWriMo. They explore poetry's influence on prose and fantasy writing, ethical concerns in AI companies using authors' works without permission.
Apr 22, 2024 • 48min
The Art of Intimacy, featuring Stacey D’Erasmo
Author Stacey D’Erasmo discusses the various forms of intimacy in writing and literature, exploring emotional connections, aging, and the complexities of portraying intimacy in fiction without sentimentality. The podcast delves into nuanced aspects of intimacy, unexpected connections in personal experiences, and reflections on regrets, offering thought-provoking insights on acts of intimacy in writing and reading.
7 snips
Apr 15, 2024 • 40min
The State of the Book Review, featuring John McMurtrie
Former editor of the San Francisco Chronicle’s book review section, John McMurtrie, discusses the transition of book reviews to online outlets like Amazon and Goodreads. He shares insights on breaking into book reviewing, the key elements of a great book, and the impact of the internet on traditional review methods.
Apr 8, 2024 • 45min
Social Responsibility in Fiction, featuring Naomi Kanakia
Naomi Kanakia, trans author, discusses social responsibility in fiction writing, questioning the impact on readers. The episode explores her experience in YA literature, balancing realism and optimism. Kanakia delves into the challenges of representation in publishing and the importance of empathy in storytelling.
Apr 1, 2024 • 45min
Getting Real About Book Publishing, featuring Kathleen Schmidt
Strap on your seatbelts ’cause we’re going for a ride—into the wild world of book publishing. Guest Kathleen Schmidt is a leading voice in publishing. Her popular Substack, Publishing Confidential, is a go-to source for tell-it-like-it-is realities about the industry and what authors can and should expect. We talk shop this week, touching upon author platform, Barnes & Noble, and why advances make no sense. This is a not-to-be-missed episode for anyone who’s ever published or wants to be published. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 25, 2024 • 38min
The Big Familia of Writing Inspiration, featuring Tomas Moniz
Author Tomas Moniz discusses the influence of friendship on writing, his new book about male friendship, and the importance of community in the writing world. The podcast explores the impact of friendships on creative pursuits, the dynamics of friendships in TV shows, the influence of zine writing on fiction, and the trend of flash fiction in indie publishing.
Mar 18, 2024 • 44min
Other People’s Words, featuring Lissa Soep
This week’s Write-minded show examines the nuanced and deep exploration at the heart of guest Lissa Soep’s new book, Other People’s Words. A consideration of the ways others’ voices echo in our own, her book and this episode shows us a kaleidoscope of how we conjure and recycle and tap into the words of others. There’s much to unpack here, too, from how we inner monologue in a way that is really dialogue to honoring the collective legacies we carry and give voice to. It’s easy to get philosophical with this week’s theme and guest, and we do, covering everything from death and loss, to letters written and kept, and even AI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
14 snips
Mar 11, 2024 • 33min
Light-hearted Writing During Heavy-hearted Times, featuring Neely Tubati-Alexander
Join Brooke, Grant, and Neely Tubati-Alexander as they discuss the fun of romance writing, publishers' preferences, and how to break into the genre. Explore the appeal of light-hearted stories for escapism, community building in romance writing, embracing diversity, and the rise of Romantisee genre on platforms like TikTok.
9 snips
Mar 4, 2024 • 38min
Strategies for Writing About Childhood Trauma, featuring Javier Zamora
This podcast delves into writing about childhood trauma, focusing on Javier Zamora's journey as an unaccompanied minor. It explores the healing process, diverse voices in literature, therapeutic benefits of writing, and the growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ romance books in publishing.
