In this episode Ananda Lima joins us to discuss poetry, framing short stories, what is horror, great editors, the texture of magical elements, finding a project that fits, and having fun. https://www.anandalima.com/ https://www.storystudioc

Ep 51: Cyn Vargas, Author, on the Novella, Residencies, and Finding What's Not Said

Mar 25th, 2024 34m 4s

In this episode, author Cyn Vargas discusses emotion, the novella, discovering the length of a story, trusting the process, family dynamics in fiction, young perspective, providing for the reader, residencies, finishing your story, and finding

Ep 50: Rowan Beaird, Author, on Copyedits, Character Count, and Community

Feb 26th, 2024 30m 56s

In this episode, Rowan Beaird discusses having two agents at once, the debut novel, revision, reducing character count, copyedits, timelines, a scene's purpose, elements of great short stories, and the importance of community. https://www.row

Ep 49: Kat Falls, Author, on Worldbuilding, POV, Genre, and Awe

Jan 29th, 2024 35m 6s

In this episode, YA and middle grade author Kat Falls discusses worldbuilding, reading aloud, what first person POV can do for your story, how screenplay writing connects to middle grade, loving your genre, and the power of awe. https://www.k

Ep 48: Dionna Griffin-Irons on Improv, Truth, and How We're All Characters

Dec 25th, 2023 30m 2s

In this episode, Dionna Griffin-Irons discusses improv, curiosity, how we're all characters, being comfortable with the unknown, and finding truth. Dionna Griffin-Irons http://dionnagriffinirons.com/ Stories Matter Foundation https://www.st

Ep 47: Favs of 2023 with the Chicago Review of Books

Dec 3rd, 2023 29m 59s

Rachel I Done Clicked My Heels Three Times by Taylor Byas (and here's the interview I mentioned: https://chireviewofbooks.com/2023/08/24/navigating-form-and-structure-in-i-done-clicked-my-heels-three-times/) Brother & Sister Enter the Forest by

Ep 46: Rebecca Makkai Returns!

Nov 6th, 2023 37m 52s

Signups are open for the Novelist's Toolkit online class with Rebecca Makkai! Check it out at https://www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/classes/the-novelists-toolkit-six-lessons-on-craft-structure-and-tenacity-with-rebecca-makkai/ Rebecca M

Ep 45: Idra Novey, Author, on Inspiration, Translation, And Asking What You Don't Know

Oct 21st, 2023 30m 11s

In this episode, author Idra Novey discusses inspiration through imagery, asking what you don't know, translation, deciding what becomes a novel, subtext, taking risks, and allowing for monstrosity. Idra Novey https://www.idranovey.com/ Sto

Ep 44: Grant Faulkner, Author and Executive Director of NaNoWriMo, on 100 Word Stories, Prioritizing Creativity, and Time Confetti

Aug 28th, 2023 36m 25s

In this episode, Grant Faulkner, author and Executive Director of NaNoWriMo, discusses 100 word stories, what is National Novel Writing Month, writing as running, making creativity a priority, writing on your phone, and time confetti. Find Gr

Ep 43: Maxine Rae, Author, on Embracing YA, After the Agent, and What Teens Are Saying

Jul 31st, 2023 33m 32s

In this episode, Maxine Rae discusses embracing YA, what comes after the agent, publication timelines, spacing errors, and what the teens are saying these days. Maxine Rae https://northstareditions.com/product/cold-girls/ https://www.instagra

Ep 42: Juan Martinez, Author, on Horror, Vegas Inspiration, and Cutting Your Story In Half

Jun 26th, 2023 34m 43s

In this episode, Juan Martinez discusses growing up with horror, Vegas inspiration, revision through cutting, sensations versus story, writing by hand, and cutting your story in half. Juan Martinez http://www.fulmerford.com/about Stories Ma

Ep 41: Gayle Brandeis, Author, on Breathing, Listening to Your Body, and Drafting For Yourself While Revising for Others

May 29th, 2023 32m 1s

In this episode, author Gayle Brandeis discusses knowing what we're doing, writing when you can, listening to your body, breathing, engaging with emotionally difficult material, and drafting for yourself, revising for others. Gayle Brandeis h

Ep 40: Michael Leali, Author, on Writing Middle Grade, Developmental Edits, and Valuing Your Story

Apr 25th, 2023 35m 33s

In this episode, author Michael Leali discusses middle grade novels, low-residency MFAs, resonating with young readers, using notecards for developmental edits, tackling big topics in books for kids, staying true to the voice of young people, t

Ep 39: Julia Fine, Author, on Getting Started, Taking Breaks, and Writing as the Reward

Mar 27th, 2023 40m 18s

In this episode, Julia Fine, author, discusses getting started, research, following the call of your work, preparing your concept, revisions, developmental edits, working on projects over the course of multiple years, taking breaks, writing as

Ep 38: Sarah Terez Rosenblum, Author, on Developmental Editors, Sharing Work, and Why You Should Wear Black When Teaching

Feb 27th, 2023 31m 19s

In this episode, Sarah Terez Rosenblum, author, discusses using teaching to learn craft, developmental editors, figuring out when to share work, listening, giving yourself permission to say 'I don't know,' the right reasons to take a class, and

Ep 37: Rebecca George of Volumes Bookscafe, on Backlists, Sales, and Why Authors Shouldn't Call a Bookstore on a Weekend

Jan 30th, 2023 33m 15s

In this episode, we talk with Rebecca George, co-owner of Volumes Bookcafe, about running a bookstore, the staying power of physical books, crunching the numbers, backlist sales, Tik Tok's influence on a book's success, how to be a better sales

Ep 36: Favorite Books of 2022 with Chicago Review of Books

Dec 26th, 2022 31m 51s

Recommendations for your TBR pile: Greg's Picks Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe Mount Chicago by Adam Levin Groundskeeping by Lee Cole I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca

Ep 35: Jeremy Owens, Writer and Performer, on Live Lit, Putting on a Show, and Whatever Is Going On With Twitter

Nov 28th, 2022 31m 50s

Jeremy Owens, writer and performer, on live lit, putting together a show, newsletters, and the chaos that is trying to hold onto an online writing community in this day and age. Find Jeremy online at https://linktr.ee/JeremyAshleyOwens Stor

Ep 34: Jen and Fraser Coffeen Spooky Story Spectacular

Oct 30th, 2022 42m 10s

In this episode, Jen and Fraser Coffeen, hosts of the Creepy History Podcast, stop by to talk about all things scary stories - telling them, lessons writers can take from them, and what keeps us up at night. Creepy History Podcast https://cre

Ep 33: Lindsay Hunter, Author, on Flash Fiction, Setting Goals, and Community as Motivation

Sep 26th, 2022 31m 15s

In this episode, Lindsay Hunter, author, discusses flash fiction, accepting your voice, making the most of your time, making reasonable writing goals, spreadsheets for editing, community as motivation, if you should go to grad school, and what

Ep 32: James Klise, Author, on YA, Opening Pages, Leaving Behind a Manuscript, and Building Plot

Aug 29th, 2022 39m 3s

In this episode, James Klise, author, discusses opening pages, writing for teens, leaving behind a manuscript, reading strategies, revealing character through action, and using cause and effect to build a plot. James Klise https://jamesklise.

Ep 31: Emily Maloney, Author, on the Personal Essay, Writing by Hand, and Going to Therapy to Be a Better Writer

Jul 25th, 2022 32m 4s

We talk with Emily Maloney, author, about making beautiful sentences, the personal essay, building a better essay collection pitch, swamp driver vs polishing diamonds, how writing needs time, maintaining 2 notebooks - one for the draft, one for

Ep 30: Steve Almond, Author, on Plot, the Social Novel, Keeping the Reader Informed, and Scorpions

Jun 27th, 2022 32m 39s

In this episode, Steve Almond, author, on building plot, writing the social novel, placing a story in time, giving the reader the information they need, finding the right amount of research, and scorpions. Steve Almond https://stevealmondjoy.

Ep 29: Vincent Francone, Author and Editor, on Anthologies, Chicago, Live Lit, and the Deep Dish Myth

May 30th, 2022 32m 21s

Vincent Francone, author and editor, discusses different Chicagos, organizing a collection, Windy City cliches, the deep dish myth, live lit, submitting work to anthologies, and parking in Wrigleyville. Find Vincent online at: http://www.vinc

Ep 28: Sisters in Crime Chicago Mystery Roundtable

Apr 25th, 2022 35m 43s

In this episode, we're talking all things mystery with Sisters in Crime Chicago! Michelle Falkoff, Mia P. Manansala, and Jen Collins Moore all join us to discuss what makes a great whodunit. Michelle Falkoff http://michellefalkoff.com/ Mia