Thoughts on a subject all too familiar to every writer: rejection. Believing in the worth of what you've produced is no easy thing. And deserving work is all too often passed over in sluice tides of manila envelopes. All that matters is what you're committed to. 

In the Atelier, a new weekly podcast premiering January 2020, is a place for occasional thoughts on literature, writing, and the life of the imagination. Each artfully crafted episode brings you reflections and real talk about subjects like the nature of creativity, the highs and lows of making art, inspiring works of literature and cinema, and the value and valor of staying true to your own creative vision. Produced by the award-winning literary press Atelier26 Books and hosted by author, publisher, and teacher M. Allen Cunningham. Eager to hear more? Get exclusive early access to seven episodes with a tax-deductible donation to the Atelier26 Books 2020 Campaign. 

Mentioned in this episode: Wallace Stegner; New York Times; Henry James; Andre Dubus; Gustave Flaubert

Music in this episode: "Door Knob" by Egon Stone; "Petrolchimica2" by Bottega Baltazar; "Rising Up" by OFRIN; "Seventh March" by C3NC (All music used by courtesy of the artists through a licensing agreement with Artlist)

What do you do if you're a young writer and you receive an invitation from National Book Award winner Denis Johnson, author of Jesus' Son? Hint: don't panic.

In the Atelier, a new weekly podcast premiering January 2020, is a place for occasional thoughts on literature, writing, and the life of the imagination. Each artfully crafted episode brings you reflections and real talk about subjects like the nature of creativity, the highs and lows of making art, inspiring works of literature and cinema, and the value and valor of staying true to your own creative vision. Produced by the award-winning literary press Atelier26 Books and hosted by author, publisher, and teacher M. Allen Cunningham.

This prelisten is an excerpt from the episode "Opportunity & Inspiration", in which a famous author's invitation leads to a lesson about opportunity and the unexpected forms inspiration can take.

Eager to hear more? Get exclusive early access to our first several episodes with a tax-deductible donation to the Atelier26 Books 2020 Campaign.

Music: "Anthem of a Quirky Hipster" by Rex Banner; "Lemonade" by Shtriker Big Band

(All music used by courtesy of the artists through a licensing agreement with Artlist)

In the Atelier, a new weekly podcast premiering January 2020, is a place for occasional thoughts on literature, writing, and the life of the imagination. Each artfully crafted episode brings you reflections and real talk about subjects like the nature of creativity, the highs and lows of making art, inspiring works of literature and cinema, and the value and valor of staying true to your own creative vision. Produced by the award-winning literary press Atelier26 Books and hosted by author, publisher, and teacher M. Allen Cunningham.

This prelisten is an excerpt from the episode "What Am I Doing With My Life?", in which we look at two types of doubt that the creative soul is heir to, and consider how we might make use of them. 

Eager to hear more? Get exclusive early access to our first several episodes with a tax-deductible donation to the Atelier26 Books 2020 Campaign.

Music heard in this excerpt: "Moonlight Call" by Racoon Racoon; "Purple Maze" by Lalinea

(All music used by courtesy of the artists through a licensing agreement with Artlist)