Shows
The Writer's StoryEpisode 64: Jay KauffmannKristin and Meredith talk about writing while traveling (or not), and then chat with author Jay Kauffmann about his book, The Mexican Messiah, inspired by his international travels when he worked as a model and travel writer.
2025-05-1633 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 63: Quite Literally BooksKristin and Meredith talk to two friends, Lisa and Bremond, who have started their own publishing company: Quite Literally Books. Their focus is "discovering and reissuing ought-to-be-in-print books by American women authors" that they love and feel deserve to be back in people's hands--and one their shelves--today.
2025-04-0827 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 62: Kristina RiggleMeredith and Kristin talk about their new multimedia projects, and then chat with Meredith's former blogging partner from the Debutante Ball, Kristina Riggle about her writing journey and her latest book, VIVIAN IN RED.
2025-03-1345 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 61: Charlotte MatthewsMeredith and Kristin talk about pacing and shorter attention spans, and then chat with Charlotte Matthews about her newest book of noticings. Charlotte also talks about her writing method for essays and poems.
2025-02-0932 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 60: Dean KingKristin and Meredith talk about writing during the holiday season and interview Dean King, bestselling author of Skeletons on the Zahara. They discuss his most recent book Guardians of the Valley, and how he writes and researches his books.
2024-12-2941 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 59: Where do you get your ideas?It's a popular question that writers get a lot when they're on tour: where do you get your ideas? Kristin and Meredith like the question, and attempt to answer it for a few of their books.
2024-11-0325 minThe Writer's StoryEpisode 58: Social media for writersKristin and Meredith discuss their complicated feelings about social media, and how they've seen writers use it to help (or hurt) their sales/craft.
2024-09-2228 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 57: Virginia PyeVirginia Pye returns to talk with Kristin and Meredith about her latest historical novel, THE LITERARY UNDOING OF VICTORIA SWANN. They talk about publishing in the Gilded Era, and how many of the issues that women and women writers had then still resonate today.
2024-08-0138 minThe Writer's StoryEpisode 56: The Spirit of StoryKristin and Meredith talk about filling up their creative well and share great writing advice they've received.
2024-06-3025 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 55: Tim WendelKristin and Meredith talk about their literary adventures and travels, and then chat with author Tim Wendel about REBEL FALLS, his historical novel set on the Canadian border during the Civil War.
2024-05-1946 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 54: Dina HonourKristin and Meredith chat with an old friend of Meredith's (from her Brooklyn days), Dina Honour. Dina talks about her journey to becoming a published author, her life as an expatriate, and her essay collection, There’s Some Place Like Home: Lessons From a Decade Abroad, as well as her memoir, It’s a Lot to Unpack.
2024-04-1834 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 53: Katrin SchumannKatrin Schumann (author of the novel This Terrible Beauty and Program Director for the Key West Literary Seminar and Workshops) joins Meredith and Kristin. Katrin shares thoughts on craft such as plotting a novel (she's at work on new historical fiction) and what it's like to wear several hats (check out The Curious Kat on Substack, making connections through creative expression!).
2024-03-1543 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 52: Julia Ridley SmithKristin and Meredith talk about using their life experiences in their fiction and then chat with author Julia Ridley Smith about her short story collection Sex Romp Gone Wrong.
2024-02-1530 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 51: Steve WeddleKristin and Meredith talk about revising books they've been working on for a long time, and interview author Steve Weddle about his writing journey and new book The County Line, an Amazon First Reads selection.
2024-01-2645 minThe Writer's StoryEpisode 50: Reflecting on 2023For their 50th episode, Kristin and Meredith reflect on a year of writing and exciting guests in 2023.
2023-11-2722 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 49: Jody Hobbs HeslerKristin and Meredith talk about how hard it is for them to write short stories (and why), and then interview friend and author Jody Hobbs Hesler about her short story collection What Makes You Think You're Supposed to Feel Better.
2023-10-1142 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 48: BettyJoyce NashKristin and Meredith discuss the different publishing options for books these days, and then welcome friend and author BettyJoyce Nash to the podcast. BettyJoyce's first novel, Everyone Here is Kin, is out this month.
2023-09-1943 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 47: Marie LambaKristin and Meredith talk about genre, and then chat with writer and agent Marie Lamba about balancing writing with agenting and how conferences can help you connect to agents and other writers. Marie writes YA and children's books, and is an agent at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency.
2023-08-1141 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 46: Kathy ErskineKathryn Erskine, our very first guest is back with new adventures to share! Celebrated author of many books for young readers (including National Book Award winning Mockingbird), Kathy, a.k.a. S. G. Lindisfarne is striking out incognito-ish with Compounding Solutions , a cozy mystery for adults. Meredith and Kristin were all ears - and questions - about the pen-name, the process of independently publishing a novel, and about the story itself.
2023-07-1636 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 45: Kevin McFaddenKristin and Meredith talk about books as objects. They are joined by Kevin McFadden, poet, letterpress printer, book artist, and member of the creative community at Virginia Center for the Book in Charlottesville. Kevin talks about creating a unique book of pandemic poetry and reads from his collection.
2023-05-0452 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 44: Trudy HaleLocation, location... schmlocation? Meredith and Kristin talk setting, particularly how the site of a writer's creative work affects her writing. Or doesn't. Enter Trudy Hale, this month's guest - a writer herself, editor-in-chief of Streetlight magazine, and the woman behind the storied Porches Writing Retreat. Trudy tells about her writing journey from L.A. to rural VA and points between, and gives a sneak peek behind the magic of the old farmhouse turned artists' haven in Nelson County, VA.
2023-03-2444 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 43: Kalela WilliamsKristin and Meredith talk about the value of attending literary festivals as a writer (and as a reader) and interview special guest Kalela Williams. Kalela is the new director of the Virginia Center for the Book which oversees the Virginia Festival of the Book, as well as the author of a YA book (coming 2024) The Tangleroot Papers. They discuss upcoming events at the next festival (March 23-26, 2023) as well as her plans for future festivals.
2023-02-2336 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 42: Katharine HerndonKristin and Meredith launch the new year with a new podcast angle: topic or theme. This month's is point of view (POV to you writers out there). What is it? How does it affect the story in writing and reading,...? Guest Katharine Herndon joins in the conversation and also shares her experiences with Richmond, VA-based James River Writers, from attending every (!) annual conference as a writer herself to serving in recent years as the organization's Executive Director.
2023-01-2840 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 41: Mary Alice HostetterKristin and Meredith talk about self-imposed deadlines and celebrating small wins with your writing community. Their guest is Mary Alice Hostetter, author of the memoir PLAIN: A MEMOIR OF A MENNONITE GIRLHOOD. She talks about her life and her path to publication.
2022-11-3043 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 40: Fran HawthorneKristin and Meredith talk about using their iPhone to record their writing ideas when they're away from the computer. Fran Hawthorne is their guest this month, and she talks about her writing journey from journalist to novelist. Her latest novel, I MEANT TO TELL YOU, will be out in November.
2022-10-2747 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 39: Sibley Johns and WriterHouseKristin and Meredith discuss beta readers and how to select good ones for your manuscript, and then chat with Sibley Johns, a writer and the Executive Director of WriterHouse. WriterHouse is a space in Charlottesville, Virginia dedicated to the craft of writing, and has writing classes (online and in-person), programs, and readings. Meredith teaches occasionally at WriterHouse, and both she and Kristin have had book events in the space.
2022-09-2654 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 38: Writing RetreatMeredith and Kristin recount experiences and lessons learned on their recent writing retreat in the beautiful Goshen Pass. Tune in for tips on organizing and enjoying your own such creative adventure!
2022-08-2327 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 37: Maya SmartThe incalculable value of reading suffused this month's conversation with guest Maya Smart, whose new book Reading for Our Lives: A Literacy Action Plan from Birth to Six reflects her passion for growing literacy as it gives busy parents (and grands and aunts and uncles and) practical tools to help raise happy readers. We talked deep-dive research and the challenge of putting it into the hands of non-specialists in the context of the life-changing skill and pleasure that is reading.
2022-08-0248 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 36: Stephanie PearsonMeredith and Kristin talk endings - how do you know you're done?,... enough to start over, revising and all - and other crafty bits. Then Outside mag and National Geographic writer, Stephanie Pearson, joins us to talk about her new 100 Great American Parks book, which can't help but leave readers feeling oh-so-lucky to live in this wonder-ful, beautiful, care-worthy world.
2022-06-2551 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 35: Alma KatsuKristin and Meredith talk about secondary characters in stories, and chat with guest Alma Katsu about her new book THE FERVOR, historic fiction with supernatural and horror elements. They also talk about her thriller RED WIDOW, based on her career in intelligence, and her recent television deal.
2022-05-1746 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 34: Martien Halvorson-TaylorMartien Halvorson-Taylor, professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia joins Meredith and Kristin in conversation about writing and the Bible - writing about the Bible, writing in the Bible, and Martien's Great Courses on Audible course, Writing the Bible. Writing as an act of discovery and angles on translation, it's a conversation that tracks along many levels.
2022-04-3052 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 33: Ellen CrosbyKristin and Meredith talk about their latest projects, and the pros and cons of using software like Scrivener to write your novel. They're joined by author Ellen Crosby, the author of the Virginia wine country mystery series; who Meredith has known for years. Ellen's newest book BITTER ROOTS is out April 5, 2022.
2022-03-2451 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 32: Virginia PyeVirginia Pye, author of two novels and a collection of short stories The Shelf Life of Happiness, joins Meredith and Kristin in conversation about the hows and whys of community in writing (and surviving snow). She shares encouragement and advice with her inspiring story of "overnight success" following decades of honing her craft and building relationships.
2022-02-0141 minThe Writer's StoryEpisode 31: A Reading Year in ReviewKristin and Meredith look back on the books they've read this year that have influenced their writing and thinking about creativity. They also catch listeners up to date on new books for past guests.
2021-12-3039 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 30: Irene ZieglerKristin and Meredith discuss revising and writing conferences, and interview Irene Ziegler--writer, actor, and voice-over artist. They talk about her varied body of work and how her acting influences her writing.
2021-11-1651 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 29: Michael CordellKristin and Meredith talk about revision and deepening the emotion (and upping the stakes) for their characters. They interview Michael Cordell, screenwriter, playwright and novelist, whose legal thriller CONTEMPT came out last year. He has a new paranormal thriller out, OUR TRESPASSES.
2021-10-2139 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 28: Jocelyn Nicole JohnsonKristin and Meredith talk about their writing projects, puppies and broken arms, and then interview writer and friend Jocelyn Nicole Johnson on her stunning debut "My Monticello." The book is making a splash before its October pub date: It's been covered in the New York Times, is being made into a Netflix movie and has already garnered an award nomination.
2021-10-0347 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 27: Earl Swift
Meredith and Kristin talk writing one-handed, and Earl Swift shares his journey from journalism in its heyday to writing page-turning nonfiction on a wide range of topics. His new book, ACROSS THE AIRLESS WILDS: THE LUNAR ROVER AND THE TRIUMPH OF THE FINAL MOON LANDINGS is just out with HarperCollins.
2021-07-1656 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 26: Mollie Cox BryanKristin and Meredith discuss the pros and cons of writing while you're on vacation, and chat with Mollie Cox Bryan about her cookbooks, mysteries and other writing. They also discuss indie publishing for cozy mysteries, and her latest book Goodnight Moo.
2021-06-0950 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 25: Rebecca Morgan FrankKristin and Meredith talk gardens, productivity and inspiration this month. They also chat with poet Rebecca Morgan Frank about high school, writing a poem for a collection, her recent book Oh You Robot Saints! and her recent collaborations with composers.
2021-05-161h 01
The Writer's StoryEpisode 24: Alex SeguraThis month Kristin and Meredith talk spring, vaccines, and revising. They chat with Alex Segura, author of novels, comic books, short stories and podcasts, about how he juggles different genres and small children. He also talks about the pros and cons of collaboration, working for hire and keeping a series going forever.
2021-04-3057 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 23: John YunkerMeredith and Kristin talk about reviving projects, when, and how to decide which to tackle, before talking issues, environment, animals and more with writer and publisher, John Yunker co-founder with writer Midge Raymond of Ashland Creek Press and EcoLit Books blog. He's the author of plays, essays, and the novels The Tourist Trail and Where Oceans Hide Their Dead.
2021-03-181h 00
The Writer's StoryEpisode 22: Kristin Swenson
Co-host Kristin Swenson's got a new book out! And Meredith's on the spot with questions and thoughts of her own in this lively discussion between the two of them. They catch up on novels-in-progress and talk about how it's been releasing A Most Peculiar Book: The Inherent Strangeness of the Bible (Oxford UP).
2021-02-1157 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 21: Kristen-Paige MadoniaKristin and Meredith start off the new year talking about writing residencies, Kristin's new book and interview YA and literary fiction author Kristen-Paige Madonia. Kristen-Paige is the author of Invisible Fault Lines and Fingerprints of You.
2021-02-081h 00
The Writer's StoryEp. 20 Robin FarmerMeredith and Kristin talk manuscript evolution, first draft and beyond. Robin Farmer relates her writer's journey through journalism, screenwriting, and writing residencies, and discusses her (whoohoo!) debut novel MALCOLM AND ME, staring down the "woke police," and telling it true.
2020-11-151h 08
The Writer's StoryEpisode 19: E.A. AymarKristin shares exciting writing news, and we talk to E.A. Aymar about his new thriller, They're Gone, coming out in November under the name E.A. Barres. Meredith met E.A. at the first DC Noir at the Bar (which he organizes). They discuss thrillers, writing from a multicultural perspective, pseudonyms, and the benefits of writing short fiction and articles in between publishing books.
2020-10-2759 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 18: Meg MedinaMeredith and Kristin visit with Newbery Medal winner Meg Medina about the racy tales of Meg's abuela, "the queen" of her family's unofficial historistas (storytellers), Meg's personal road to becoming an award-winning author, and the incalculable resource of a good librarian. A couple lucky listener/subscribers will receive free copies of the fresh-off-the-press anthology The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth , to which Meg contributed a chapter.
2020-09-151h 06
The Writer's StoryEpisode 17: Kellye GarrettKristin and Meredith talk about how torturing your characters is a must if you want to write a compelling novel. They also chat with Kellye Garrett, who shares her early love of cozies (and why representation matters), gives the origin story for Crime Writers of Color, and talks about how #pitchwars helped launch her career (and the careers of many other writers). Plus, she talks about her newest book and how she got her idea for it.
2020-07-271h 03
The Writer's StoryEpisode 16: Sharon HarriganKristin and Meredith talk about writing in the middle of political unrest and tragedy, and talk to Sharon Harrigan. Sharon's debut novel HALF comes out June 9. She talks about writing poetry, memoir and now fiction, her path to becoming a writer, and what it was like write from the point of view of a first-person plural narrator.
2020-06-0156 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 15: Lulu MillerKristin and Meredith talk with Lulu Miller about her new non-fiction book WHY FISH DON'T EXIST, about the power (and limits) of words, and how her work in radio (Radiolab and Invisibilia) influenced her project.
2020-05-0648 minThe Writer's StoryEpisode 14: Writing During a PandemicKristin and Meredith talk about writing during a pandemic on this episode, and whether anyone is able to concentrate on their creative endeavors these dark days. They discuss tricks they use to jumpstart their rewrites, whether or not anyone will want to read a COVID-19 novel someday, and how important art is for all those quarantined inside their homes.
2020-04-1649 min
The Writer's StoryStories of Displacement: Virginia Festival of the Book PanelMeredith Cole interviews Clifford Garstang and Michael Zapata for a virtual version of their scheduled book panel at the Virginia Festival of the Book (canceled for coronavirus): Stories of Displacement: Fiction, Far from Home. They discuss their newest books and how their stories are about displacement, immigration and loss.
2020-03-2140 min
The Writer's StoryThe Write Start: Virginia Festival of the Book panelThe Virginia Festival of the Book was canceled this year due to the coronavirus, so the Moseley critique group decided to make their publishing day panel "The Write Start" virtual! In this podcast, Deborah M. Prum, Jody Hobbs Hesler, BettyJoyce Nash and Meredith Cole critique the first 100 words of the 14 anonymous entries they received for the festival. They give the authors feedback on tone, genre, voice, word choice and more.
Find out how to support the Virginia Festival of the Book here.
2020-03-191h 16
The Writer's StoryEpisode 13: Katrin SchumannMeredith and Kristin talk good writerly boosts from both accountability (feet to the fire) and vacation (feet in the ocean). Katrin Schumann joins them to discuss her novel, This Terrible Beauty, love in the midst of war, and how decent people can unintentionally wind up building an authoritarian state.
2020-02-1955 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 12: Irène MathieuKristin and Meredith talk about New Year’s resolutions (pro and con) and rituals to start the writing year off right. Irène Mathieu, author and pediatrician, joins them to talk about poetry versus prose, having two demanding careers, and using sensitivity readers when writing about cultures and experiences not your own.
2020-01-2958 min
Expand Your Mind, One Story at a Time - Free Audiobook RevolutionRunes for Writers: Boost Your Creativity and Destroy Writer's Block Audiobook by Marc GrahamListen to this audiobook in full for free onhttps://hotaudiobook.com/freeID: 419275
Title: Runes for Writers: Boost Your Creativity and Destroy Writer's Block
Author: Marc Graham
Narrator: Marc Graham
Format: Unabridged
Length: 02:55:41
Language: English
Release date: 01-21-20
Publisher: Findaway Voices
Genres: Self Development, Health & Wellness, Language Instruction, Language Arts
Summary:
Tired of struggling with writer's block?This ancient system helps storytellers access the realm of ideas, the world of the Muses. By integrating left- and right-brain activity, you can open your awareness to the subconscious levels where true creativity takes place.
Runes for Writers can take you from blocked...2020-01-212h 55
The Writer's StoryEpisode 11: Padma VenkatramanKristin and Meredith talk about revising and first drafts, as well as the challenges of integrating political issues into their fiction. Their guest is Padma Venkatraman, award-winning author of The Bridge Home, a 2019 Global Read Aloud book, A Time to Dance, and Climbing the Stairs.
2019-11-2545 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 10: Phillipa "Pip" Ballantine and Tee MorrisKristin and Meredith talk about collaboration, and word count and rules for various genres. They interview the writing and podcasting duo Phillipa "Pip" Ballantine and Tee Morris about their writing journeys, steam punk, non-traditional publishing, and their writing partnership on various projects, including The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences.
2019-10-2948 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 9: Tara Laskowski
Kristin and Meredith talk about how fall has inspired them to be productive on their writing projects, and chat with Tara Laskowski, award-winning author of short stories and the novel One Night Gone.
2019-09-3055 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 8: J. Dana TrentKristin and Meredith talk about writing and keeping a journal, and chat with J. Dana Trent, author of Dessert First and other non-fiction books on Christian meditation, Sabbath practice, and interfaith marriage.
2019-09-0543 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 7: Guest Deborah PrumKristin and Meredith discuss writing groups and finding a writing community with guest Deborah Prum, author of humorous short fiction, award-winning short stories and historical non-fiction. With years of experience in writing groups, Deb gives tips on how to start and facilitate an effective writing group for all genres.
2019-07-3051 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 6: Guest Clifford GarstangKristin and Meredith discuss writing "the shadow" and going places in their writing that's uncomfortable. Guest Clifford Garstang joins to discuss his new book "The Shaman of Turtle Valley" and shares his writing journey.
2019-06-1748 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 5: Guest Rachel Howzell HallMeredith and Kristin discuss unlikable protagonists (pros and cons), and talk with author Rachel Howzell Hall about her book They All Fall Down and her mystery series set in Los Angeles.
2019-05-1650 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 4: Guest Belle BoggsMeredith and Kristin talk about creating the perfect writing schedule, and talk with author Belle Boggs about her novel The Gulf, her non-fiction essays and about teaching writing.
2019-04-2455 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 3: Guest Patricia A. SmithMeredith and Kristin talk about life colliding with writing schedules, and welcome guest Patricia A. Smith, author of The Year of Needy Girls, to discuss literature for and out of the LGBTQ experience.
2019-03-2954 min
The Writer's StoryEpisode 2: Guest Kathryn ErskineAuthor hosts Meredith Cole and Kristin Swenson discuss feedback (giving and receiving) and how it's particularly important to them both at this stage of their writing. They're joined by novelist and children's book author Kathryn Erskine, who won the 2010 National Book Award for Young People's Literature for her novel, Mockingbird.
2019-03-1144 minThe Writer's StoryEpisode 1: IntroductionAuthor hosts Meredith Cole and Kristin Swenson share their stories, and tell how they each came to become writers. They discuss craft and the three-act structure, outlining (yay or nay), the quest, and more.
2019-02-0549 min