The Secret Library Podcast

We didn't expect to share this panel as an episode. But it was so incredible that I couldn't resist.In this heartfelt conversation, I chat with seven writers who completed novel drafts in 2020. We cover all the things that held them back, what they believed was possible for themselves as writers before 2020, and what they see in the future for their writing now. There's laughter and tears, from the panel as well as the audience. I couldn't be more impressed with and inspired by this group. Happy listening!

Visit today's blog post here: https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/panel-replay-s4-ep8 

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Mia P. Manansala won multiple awards for her writing before her first novel sold. She wrote a book she was proud of, found an agent, but that book hasn't yet sold. She persevered, writing a different novel, teamed up with a new agent and happily, Arsenic and Adobo comes out this May.

How did she stay motivated through this multi-year process? Community played a huge part. As a 2017 Pitch Wars alum and 2018-20 mentor, Mia hasn't had to go it alone along the way. In this episode, we discuss the role of food in her book (yum!), what keeps her motivated, and her passion for writing fiction that includes the experience of the Filipino diaspora culture. I am thrilled to introduce Mia as the final interview of Season 4: The Visible Writer.

Visit today's blog post here: https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/mia-p-manansala-s4-ep7 

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What a gift I have for you this week! We began this season by questioning the need to be online in order to be visible, and now we discuss another view. Nikka Karli is a source of powerful inspiration and truth, which she chooses to write about and share online. In this conversation we talk about connecting the magic of your creativity, honoring it, and protecting it from the impulse to work for an algorithm, rather than your own internal knowing. I was totally flying with inspiration after this chat and I know you will be, too. It's with huge joy that I bring you this episode with Nikka Karli.

Visit this episode's blog post here: https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/nikka-karli-s4-ep6 

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While it was a joy to speak with Raynor Winn when she first came on the podcast to discuss The Salt Path, her bestselling memoir, this episode has me even more excited.

Why? Because this memoir covers the period after walking the path, and takes us all the way through Raynor’s experience writing the Salt Path, getting it published, ans the often terrifying prospect of having to tell people she was a writer. What a gift to follow this story through the part most writers don’t share, and to discuss her experience in depth. This book is a must-read for memoirists, and anyone who ever feels a bit wobbly answering the question, “what do you do?” with, “I write.”

Visit this episode's blog post here: https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/raynor-winn-s4-ep5 

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Maria Busqué had an idea for a book that she knew her students and followers would LOVE. In September, when she knew the best chance to sell it was as a holiday gift. 

Despite pandemic challenges and never having published a book before, Maria tells the story of how she published a book she's proud of on an incredible timeline. Furthermore, in this episode you'll learn about a publishing model I had never considered: one that lets you get your book out in the world NOW, while still preserving the possibility to publish traditionally later. This episode is a MUST LISTEN.

Visit this episode's blog post here: https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/maria-busque-s4-ep4 

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Claire Harnett-Mann is a brilliant poet and author, and I couldn't be happier to introduce her to you as the first D2D alum with a publishing deal. in this conversation, we look at how Claire chose the press she went with, her thoughts around getting a Masters in Creative Writing, and what it's like to be able to include "forthcoming" with the title of her novella in her bio.

We often hear from those years and years ahead in the process of putting work out in the world. I'm so grateful to hear Claire's story right at the beginning of her fiction publishing journey. Happy Listening!

Visit this episode's show notes page here: https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/claire-harnett-mann-s4-ep3 

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It was such an honor to speak with Natalie Goldberg, whose work I've admired for years. In discussing her most recent book, Three Simple Lines, I was struck again and again how beautiful it was that haiku masters, many writing centuries ago, are still able to touch our lives in the present.

Natalie shares her passion for haiku and and how she transformed her love and curiosity about such a revered form of poetry into this book. How beautiful that many choices to make stories visible and share personal moments in the world lead to this conversation. I can't wait for you to listen.

Visit today's blog post here: https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/natalie-goldberg-s4-ep2 

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As writers, we often prefer hiding away in our private worlds, but eventually we need to share our work to make the impact we dream of. But... this doesn't look the same for everyone.

Since so many writers are taught that visibility in writing = social media, I invited Alexandra Franzen back on. A writer with numerous books to her name, she doesn't participate in any social media, because it doesn't work for her.

We'll be asking lots of questions this season, so you can work on becoming visible in a way that fits for you. Our first important question: what does success look like for YOU? Can't wait for you to listen to this powerful conversation. Happy listening!

Visit today's show notes page here: https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/alexandra-franzen-s4-ep1 

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Throughout this season, I've been amazed at the depth of these discussions. I originally planned for a less intense season this go-round, given the year we've all had, but this topic refused to stay on the surface of things.

Wrapping up another theme, in this final solo episode on The Nourished Writer I share many of the discoveries I've made throughout this wild ride of a year. What's kept me inspired, motivated, and engaged in writing — it's all here.

What's the Boat Explosion Principle, you may ask? You'll just have to listen up and find out...

Thank you for another incredible season and for all the kind messages everyone has sent about the season. If you haven't yet done so, it would mean the world if you left a rating and review for the show. It makes a huge difference and helps us reach more listeners. Happy holidays, and here's to blue skies ahead in 2021!

Visit this episode's show notes page here: https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/caroline-donahue-s3-ep14 

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I hadn't planned to have Sarah on this season, since we've had so many episodes together, but when it came time to wrap recording, it felt wrong. We came to this episode without notes, without a specific topic other than to explore what was nourishing each of us as writers at this point in time.

As we come to the final weeks of the madness that has been 2020, Sarah and I also explore what our goals have been for writing at this point, and how our metrics for success have changed.

This is one of the richest conversations I've had about writing recently, and I'm delighted we went ahead and recorded anyway. This is a chance to reflect on what writing means to us, as we look back over a year of writing under unprecedented circumstances. It's also a chance to consider what we want writing to be for us going forward. Enjoy this final interview for season 3. Next week, we wrap with a solo episode to conclude for 2020.

Visit this episode's show notes page here: https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com/episodes/sarah-selecky-s3-ep13

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