Inside the Writer's Head

The Library Foundation's Writer-in-Residence Emma Carlson Berne talks with Gene Luen Yang, author of the "Secret Coders" series.

In this episode of Inside the Writer's Head, Writer-in-Residence Emma Carlson-Berne talks with Teri Robida, an editor at American Girl Publishing. They discuss the ins and outs of editing and publishing for the American Girl doll book series. Teri talks about the history of American girl dolls books and how they are unique from different publishers and presses. They also talk about what the job of an editor is like; from reading and developing stories to giving feedback with care.

If you're looking for great insight on publishing, and writing advice straight from an editor, this episode is for you!

On this episode of Inside the Writer's Head, Writer-in-Residence Emma Carlson-Berne speaks with award-winning science and history author Mary Kay Carson - who has authored more than 50 titles for kids. They talk about how Carson transitioned from magazine editing and science background to writing kids books for a living. Carson gives her tips for writing kids non-fiction, and the joys of doing research on complex topics to find the interesting stories they can tell. The authors discuss Carson's award-winning series "Scientists in the Field" and how Carson gets those stories by following scientists in to their field work. She tells a very interesting story that involves a very hot, crowded bat cave in Texas. This is an episode any writer won't want to miss!

In the first episode of Season 3 of Inside the Writer's Head, the new Writer-in-Residence Emma Carlson Berne sits down to talk with Linda Leopold Strauss. Strauss authors children's picture books, and talks about the unique writing and approval process for creating engaging illustrated stories for kids. They also discuss their highest and lowest moments as writers, and how they moved forward through setbacks and challenges in their writing careers. Listen in for some great writing insight!

In this episode, Kurt sits down with our 2018 Writer-in-Residence Emma Carlson-Berne! She has written and published more than 150 books, including Young Adult thrillers, sports fiction, and children’s books. Berne has written several of the American Girl Doll books and some Star Wars books, too. She talks about being a “writer-for-hire” and what it’s like writing stories that publishing companies ask for. Berne gives insight on how to be an adaptable writer and being able to write with different voices. She also dives in to what she wants to accomplish as the 2018 Writer-in-Residence, including her plans for working one-on-one with writers and holding small writing workshops. Kurt talks about his year as 2017 Writer-in-Residence: the most fun moments, and the most challenging.

In this episode of Inside the Writer's Head, Kurt talks with Jim Spaeth. Spaeth is the author of the memoir "Up, Up and Astray" which tells the story of his adventures in the airline industry during 4 decades of travelling the world. Spaeth worked for an airline during the "Golden Age of Air Travel" in the 1960s and 1970s. He didn't publish this book, his first one, until he was 77 years old! Spaeth talks about writing a memoir, how he remembered all the stories he told, and gives some self-publishing tips. He also reminisces on what Cincinnati was like in the 1940s and 1950s as he was growing up. This episode isn't one you'll want to skip.

In this episode, Kurt speaks with Young Adult author Natalie Richards. She's the author of "Six Months Later" and "One Was Lost." They talk about what it means to be a "good" writer and how many books Natalie actually wrote before one was good enough to be published (a lot). Natalie also talks about thinking like a writer and how what you're reading can impact what you write. There's even a little discussion about why writing Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Harry Potter fan fiction helped jump start her writing career - and if that doesn't make you want to listen, we don't know what will!

In this episode of Inside the Writer's Head, Writer-in-Residence Kurt Dinan speaks with Paul Tremblay. Tremblay is an author and editor of contemporary horror, dark fantasy, and science fiction. He has written "A Head Full of Ghosts" and "Disappearance at Devil's Rock." Kurt and Paul discuss writing for the horror fiction genre: it's challenges, stigmas, and what's interesting about it. This is the perfect listen for Halloween!

In the latest episode of “Inside the Writer’s Head,” you’ll get to know Lance Rubin and his hilarious Young Adult novel “Denton Little’s Death Date.” The podcast, hosted by the Library Foundation’s Writer-In-Residence, Kurt Dinan, focuses on writing, reading, and creativity. Lance discusses how he entered the world of Young Adult Fiction, and the challenges and expectations that come along with writing for that genre. His book is set in a world where everyone knows the date of their death, and follows a teenager, Denton Little, through the hours leading up to his “death date.” Lance also discusses what it takes to write comedy, and how real life friends influenced the characters in his novels.

Kurt sits down with local Cincinnati author, Jessica Strawser to talk about her latest novel "Almost Missed You," her writing process, and more.