The Secret Library Podcast

Welcome to the newest season of The Secret Library! We have an amazing line up in store for you these next few weeks that I can’t wait for you to hear. To start us off, Steven Rowley joins us to talk about his experience writing his latest book, The Celebrants. The biggest theme we touch upon is the bittersweet feeling that aging brings to our worldview (and the books we write and read). Steven has wonderful insights on so many topics, from dialogue to writing once you’ve sold a successful pitch. Enjoy!Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @carodonahue This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

And here we are — the final episode of season eight. I'm surprised that we're here already. We've had so many exciting conversations during the season, and here we are with my final episode, where it's just me and you talking about the gifts of writing and how they've played out. For me. I was thinking about enchantment, and wonder, and the shifts of mentality that writing has created and it was a total coincidence that Katherine Mays book came out and the opportunity to speak with her appeared at that same time. But these are the kinds of things that begin to happen when you embrace writing, and start to follow its mysterious and exciting suggestions. Which is also what I want to chat about today on this wrap up episode, the challenges turned opportunities that come with writing and how it’s literally changed my life in the process. Enjoy! And as always, thank you for being here. If you haven’t yet left a review for the show, I encourage you to do so so that more writers or aspiring writers can find the Secret Library, too. Visit this episode's show notes page here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @carodonahue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Continuing the conversation about wonder, we‘re dipping back into the SLP archives for a couple of favorite episodes you might have missed, or that deserve a relisten with wonder in mind. Enjoy--At about 40, there is a new level of clarity about the urgency of being creative. I was delighted to speak with Kusi Okamura, Editor of The Wild Word magazine and the publisher of Mike Hembury's novel New Clone City, which we discussed a few episodes back. We get into detail about how Kusi created the press, the process of publishing Mike's book from her vantage point, as well as the beauty of taking writing and creativity seriously in our 40s. There is so much attention given to bright young things and 30 Under 30 lists of writers, so it was refreshing and validating to have an open conversation about how we have each thought about our creative process and the urgency we feel about getting work on the page at this point in life. Writing in my 40s feels more real than it ever has, and it was empowering to find a kindred spirit on this topic. If you're writing over 40 (or even over 30) you will feel reassured that you are in the right place. We need to hear more from women in mid-life and especially to see a representation of characters at a wider range of ages in books and all media. If you're craving this, this episode is for you. I promise it will fire you up just like it did for me. Visit this episode's original show notes page here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @carodonahue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

Continuing the conversation about wonder, we‘re dipping back into the SLP archives for a couple of favorite episodes you might have missed, or that deserve a relisten with wonder in mind. Enjoy--I'm so grateful to welcome Greta Solomon back to the show. With her bright approach to life and incredible insight into the writing process, I always love to have writers who also teach and coach on the show.Greta and I had such an exciting conversation about taking good care of ourselves and how to stay connected and inspired as part of my Write Free course this past summer, and it didn't feel fair to keep that insight just in the class. Greta and I caught up again this fall to debunk the myth of "the real writer," share what nourishes us, and to talk about what is needed to stay inspired.She's the bright spot we need right now, and her advice is the best I can imagine sharing this week. Happy listening!Visit this episode's original show notes pages here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @carodonahue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

My guest today is Tamsin Woodward who discovered the Secret Library podcast during lockdown in 2020 and has loved it ever since. Along with the podcast, Tamsin is also an alumna of Dream to Draft. This is such a fun conversation, that as is true with every episode, I am excited to share with you. We get into the wonder and joy that can come from writing fiction, but also the opportunities that we have to discover challenges and pushback against conventions in the world that we disagree with. Tamsin and I look at genre fiction and our love of exploring it, writing it, and how it dictates our worldview. Tamsin shares how the genre is being more inclusive and why she believes it can change the world. Join our conversation to learn how you can cultivate change in the world via your own preferred genre.Visit this episode's show notes page here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @carodonahue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

My guest this week is Kali Patrick, a sleep and well being coach who wrote a #1 best-selling book as an independent publisher. I’m so excited to have Kali on because we haven’t yet explored the wonder and enchantment that can come from writing non-fiction and the experiences that are available to us when we share the knowledge and expertise from being a teacher or expert in a certain field. I think that many of us need Kali’s help because I’ve noticed a strong connection between writers and sleep issues. Enjoy this incredible story of releasing a best-selling book in a way that many of us have not possible while also learning how to better care for yourself by having a better relationship with sleep. Visit this episode's show notes page here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @carodonahue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

My guest this week is Tara Calihman, a comedian, screenwriter, producer, essayist, teacher and facilitator. In our episode, we chat about how writing has impacted us and opened new opportunities and inspiration. I’m always impressed by Tara’s endless exploration of new things, especially stand-up comedy. We look at the ways that not being so attached to the form our story takes can open us up to the wonder that it could become. Additionally, Tara prefers collaborating with others, something I have very little experience with. I’m so excited to share this conversation with you on the Secret Library. Visit this episode's show notes page here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @carodonahue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

My guest this week is Lena McCullough, whose passion for writing started in early childhood, but she didn’t allow herself the time to write until recently as her children have grown older. Lena is an alumna of the first cohort of Dream to Draft and her enthusiasm and passion for writing is contagious. I knew that there would be wonder in her writing experience and writing process. If you’re finding it hard to write, to embrace your desire to tell the story, this is the episode for you.Visit this episode's show notes page here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @carodonahue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

My guest this week on the SLP is Anna Schroeder, who has been writing stories as long as she can remember and is now an author of multiple novels. On top of writing, Anna is an ICU nurse specializing in trauma and stroke which can find its way into her writing. I’m particularly excited to have Anna on because for a long time, she embraced writing for pure enjoyment before she decided to put her work out into the world. In our conversation, she shares the process of going public (and winning awards), moving on from disappointing reviews, and overcoming fear. There’s so much wonder in the world of science fiction, particularly in the one Anna is building with her work. Enjoy!Visit this episode's show notes page here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @carodonahue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe

My guest this week is Aleksandra Merk, a proud graduate of the first cohort of Dream to Draft! I’m very excited to have her on the show because she bridges the gap between the academic and writing world. She has explored fiction in many forms herself, and being right in the middle of working on her first novel, I felt Aleksandra was the perfect guest to take us into the world of wonder within the writing community. It’s an honor to have her on the show and share this conversation about writing, wonder, and the impact it has on our lives.  Visit this episode's show notes page here.Connect with Caroline on Instagram: @carodonahue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thetattooedgoverness.com/subscribe