The Thoughtful Bro

My 1:1 with novelist + novel-structure-master Dana Spiotta.

We discussed her latest novel, Wayward, as well as (1) midlife crises...the female version; (2) the risks of "challenging" the reader with innovative novel forms, and (3) her techniques for giving humane feedback.

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone.

My interview with David Baldacci discussing his career selling over 150 million books, his MasterClass on writing, and his latest novel, Stranger in Time.

We covered (1) the one skill he wishes he had, that some other writers do with ease, (2) how he is, in my estimation, the Tom Cruise of literature (you'll have to listen to the ep to find out how), and (3) the *one quality* that all his books have in common, and which explains the wild popularity of his stories.

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone.

My *everything* talk with Adam Ross, discussing his hit literary novel Playworld.

Along with *everything* (we covered a lot of ground) we also chatted about (1) Safetyism v. Adventure in raising kids today, (2) the origin and theory behind his beautifully warm opening paragraph, and (3) his love/hate relationship with being compared to that other writer of precocious New York City kids, J.D. Salinger.

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone.

My interview with NYPL Young Lion/5-Under-35 debut author Alexander Sammartino, on his novel Last Acts.

We discussed: (1) the search for transcendence and "leaving your body" via literature; (2) father & son stories; and (3) unchecked Samuel Beckett fandom.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone.

My talk with National Book Award-winner Colum McCann, discussing his latest novel, Twist.

We explored, (1) the underwater garden hose-sized tubes that (rather vulnerably) carry all the world's information; (2) how writers ought to feel in the age of AI writing (hint: undaunted!); and (3) how the current age of political strife will likely generate powerful new art.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone.

My fresh convo on with Ron Currie re his latest novel, the family crime saga, The Savage, Noble Death of Babs Dionne.

We discussed: (1) creating existentialist heroes, (2) eats-nails-for-breakfast French Canadian female mobsters, and (3) how leading an authentic life as the highest virtue in a world of fading meaning.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone.

Unpacking storytelling with Callan Wink, who's out with a new novel, Beartooth.

Topics: (1) reinventing the heist novel, (2) life in the *real* Yellowstone (as opposed to Kevin Costner's TV version) and (3) the pros and cons of living the writers' life far from the Brooklyn literary/publishing scene.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone.

My chat with Eric Puchner about his incredible Oprah's Book Club pick Dream State.

We discussed (1) writing the "good old fashioned" novel, (2) writing the "big little" emotional moment on which stories often turn, and (3) whether you should write as if everyone you know is dead.

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone.

My interview with Presumed Innocent author Scott Turow, on his latest novel, Presumed Guilty.

Topics included, (1) The creative freedom that comes when authors realize they can't write like their heroes; (2) the advice Scott gave to Gillian Flynn, when she was on the rocket ship to literary fame, and (3) as a former President of the Authors Guild, his take on the threat AI poses to writers.

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone.

My conversation with The New Yorker fiction editor of 20+ years, Deborah Treisman.

Topics included: the "egoless" midwifery of editing; common traits among the famous writers she's known (obsessiveness and dedication are hallmarks); and anecdotes of the late David Foster Wallace.

Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry.

All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm and Writer's Bone.