We’re wrapping up 2022 with a compilation of writing advice from some of the authors who appeared on the pod this year. From writing routines to persistence, motivation, research, rejection, and more, these authors have you covered. Be sure to listen to their full Page Count interviews for more in-depth discussion of these topics and others.

In this episode:

• Negesti Kaudo on why writers shouldn’t worry about time

Finally, at the end of this episode, we share a preview of our first conversation scheduled to air in 2023: an interview and query letter critique with literary agent Erin Hosier. That episode airs January 3, 2023, so be sure to subscribe to Page Count and stay tuned.

Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email [email protected] (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

We’re taking a meta dive into the world of podcasting with Jill Grunenwald, an author, librarian, and the cohost of OverDrive’s Professional Book Nerds podcast. Grunenwald shares how Professional Book Nerds got its start, how she and her cohosts produce the show, the challenges and benefits of hosting a podcast, tips for authors making their first podcast appearance, and why podcasting is such a popular medium for discussing books. On the writing front, Grunenwald discusses her work as a memoirist, including her latest title READING BEHIND BARS, which chronicles her time as a prison librarian.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• Running with a Police Escort by Jill Grunenwald

Podcasts mentioned in this episode:

• Professional Book Nerds

Additional podcasts Laura recommends for writers:

• Missing Pages

Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email [email protected] (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

This mini episode offers 10 tips for writers working on their first novels. Host Laura Maylene Walter draws on her experience as a novelist to discuss idea generation, outlines, structure, word-count goals, persistence, the constant battle against self-doubt, and more.

The advice Walter shares in this episode was originally recorded during a workshop she led at the Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. This episode may be especially helpful for writers participating in NaNoWriMo, the annual challenge to write 50,000 words of a novel in the month of November.

The cold open is an outtake “Escaping the Drawer with Sammy and Annisha.” And for another episode related to the novel-writing process, listen to “Novel Revision with Matt Bell.”

Finally, as Thanksgiving approaches, learn about National Native American Heritage Month by accessing resources from the National Park Service, the National Archives, the Smithsonian, and more.

Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email [email protected] (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

Kirsten Reach, founder of Jonquil Editorial and former Kenyon Review fiction editor and Melville House book editor, critiques opening pages from Ohio prose writers. Her feedback surrounds the importance of starting in the right place, writing dialogue that moves the story forward, and creating a clear and immediate sense of the world from the very first page. This episode also covers literary magazine submission tips, the best time to hire a freelance editor, the joys of cake and gossip, and more. With special thanks to the three writers who shared their work: S. Elizabeth Sigler, Suzanne Ondrus, and JB Bergin.

To learn more about Kirsten Reach and her editorial work, visit Jonquil Editorial or connect with her on Twitter @KirstenReach.

Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email [email protected] (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

In this special live episode, Laura Maylene Walter interviews Liz Breazeale, an award-winning author and NEA Fellow, to offer listeners practical advice surrounding the writing process, revision, rejection, literary agents, publication, MFA programs, and more. During their conversation, Liz equates revision with disaster; Laura reveals why she can’t be Liz’s literary executor; Liz describes how she found her literary agent; and Laura shares how she won a writing grant that will transform her into a mermaid.

This episode was recorded before a live audience on September 10, 2022, at Cleveland Public Library as part of Literary Clevleand’s Inkubator Writing Conference. Learn more about Liz Breazeale by visiting her website or following her on Twitter or Instagram. 

Page Count is produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library. For full show notes and a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email [email protected] (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

A fun discussion about puppets, children’s literature, libraries, and the age-old cat vs. dog debate? Toucan play at that game—namely, our two special guests Sammy and Annisha!

First, we partnered with the Indiana Center for the Book to chat with our friend Sammy, a corduroy puppet in the shape of a toucan who has interviewed Indiana authors for more than a decade. Sammy lives in a drawer but does not want to talk about it! Sammy is a very good reader! Sammy thinks Garfield is a killjoy! Sammy does not know who Jonathan Franzen is! Sammy’s sassiness increases with age! Sammy sees puppets as friends! Although really, what even IS a puppet, anyway?

We’re also joined by Annisha Jeffries, the Manager of the Youth Services Department at Cleveland Public Library. Annisha discusses her love of cats, why puppets are helpful for young readers, why libraries matter, and more. She also shares her enthusiasm for Bill Cotter’s books, including DON’T PUSH THE BUTTON and DON’T TOUCH THIS BOOK. Sammy, meanwhile, offers enthusiastic bird praise for author April Pulley Sayre and shares Sayre’s delightful book, BIRD, BIRD, BIRD!

Find Sammy’s amazing interviews on the Indiana State Library’s Toucan Tuesdays YouTube playlist, or check out a few of our favorites:

• Sammy interviews Leah Johnson!

Mentioned in this episode:

• Puppetry at Cleveland Public Library

Produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library and hosted by Laura Maylene Walter. For a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email [email protected] (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

Children’s book author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand discusses his origins as a young artist; why “instant art” is a myth; his attempt to kiss a cow for research; his breakthrough after being diagnosed with dyslexia; how his son inspired the Mole and Bear book series; the power of giving voice to ideas; the literary magic available to us in books; the importance of play and joy in art; and why, as a child, he wanted to grow up to be a fire truck.

Visit willhillenbrand.com to learn more or follow Hillenbrand on Twitter or Facebook.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• MIKE MULLIGAN AND HIS STEAM SHOVEL by Virginia Lee Burton

Produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library and hosted by Laura Maylene Walter. For a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email [email protected] (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

Negesti Kaudo, author of the debut essay collection RIPE, discusses the art of writing nonfiction; her development as a writer; exploring race, privilege, and the body in on the page; innovative essay structure; embracing work that is uncomfortable; workshop dynamics and etiquette; her job as a Buzzfeed sex toy writer; the joy of writing residencies; and why the popular “write drunk, edit sober” maxim isn’t the best advice for writers.

Find Kaudo on Twitter, Instagram, or at kaudonegesti.squarespace.com.

Writing Residency Resources

• Poets & Writers Conferences and Residencies Database

Produced by Ohio Center for the Book at Cleveland Public Library and hosted by Laura Maylene Walter. For a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email [email protected] (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

Celebrated graphic novelist Derf Backderf discusses his latest book, KENT STATE: FOUR DEAD IN OHIO, which documents the fatal May 4, 1970 shooting at Kent State University. Backderf sheds light on this event’s history and its aftermath; his decision to tell the story through the point of view of the four slain students (Allison Krause, Jeffrey Miller, Sandra Scheuer, and William Schroeder) and a Guardsman; his research and writing processes; the evolution of his career; his view of the current landscape for graphic novels; his favorite independent bookstores; and more.

KENT STATE: FOUR DEAD IN OHIO is the Ohio Center for the Book’s 2022 Great Reads from Great Places selection for adult readers and will represent Ohio’s literary heritage at the 2022 National Book Festival on September 3.

Derf Backderf’s previous books include MY FRIEND DAHMER, TRASHED, and PUNK ROCK AND TRAILER PARKS. Learn more at derfcity.com and buy KENT STATE at your favorite independent bookstore. Mac's Backs sells personalized, signed copies of Backderf's books.

For full show notes and a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email [email protected] (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.

Children’s book illustrator and author Tracy Subisak discusses JENNY MEI IS SAD, a picture book about the support friends can offer in times of sadness. Subisak shares the genesis of this story, how she became a children’s book author and illustrator, the connection between creativity and vulnerability, how illustrators work with an agents, a preview of some of her forthcoming books, and her advice for young artists.

JENNY MEI IS SAD is the Ohio Center for the Book’s 2022 Great Reads from Great Places children’s book selection and will represent Ohio’s literary heritage at the 2022 National Book Festival on September 3.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• JENNY MEI IS SAD, written and illustrated by Tracy Subisak

Learn about Subisak’s other books at http://tracysubisak.com.

For a transcript of this episode, visit the episode page. To get in touch, email [email protected] (put “podcast” in the subject line) or follow us on Twitter or on Facebook.