In this episode of the Working Writer Podcast, host Tia Levings sits down with Allison K Williams, a prolific writer, editor, and former circus performer.

They delve into the journey of creating sustainable careers in writing, emphasizing the importance of multiple drafts for polished work. Allison shares her unique experiences traveling globally, hosting writing retreats, and the significance of teaching and mentoring other writers.

They also discuss practical advice for writers, such as the necessity of retyping drafts and embedding research directly into scenes. With stories of her extensive travels, including retreats in Tuscany, Portugal, and plans for the Queen Mary 2, Allison provides invaluable insights for writers at any stage of their career.

• Order A Well-Trained Wife!

• Free Fundie Cheatsheet⁠ 

• Read ⁠What the Fundamentalist?!

• Instagram: @tialevingswriter⁠⁠ 

• TikTok : @tialevingswriter⁠⁠ 

Connect with Allison K Williams: 

• Website: Allison K Williams

• Order Seven Drafts!

• Twitter : @guerillamemoir

• Instagram: @guerillamemoir

Join us for a compelling episode of the Working Writer Podcast! Today we are joined by Katie Rose Guest Pryal, a speaker and author known for her work on mental health and neurodiversity.

Katie shares her journey from being a non-tenure-track college professor to a published author and speaker. The discussion covers the importance of embracing one's neurodivergence, the evolving language around mental health, and the significance of finding alignment between passion and work. Katie also delves into her career's transition from academia to writing textbooks and trade books, emphasizing the need to focus on what truly matters. 

This episode is rich with insights for writers and anyone interested in mental health and neurodiversity. 

• Order A Well-Trained Wife!

• Free Fundie Cheatsheet⁠

• Read ⁠Deconstructing Fundamentalism with Tia Levings⁠

• Instagram: @tialevingswriter⁠⁠

• TikTok : @tialevingswriter⁠⁠ 

Connect with Katie Rose Guest Pryal: 

• Website: Katie Rose Pryal

• Substack : https://krgpryal.substack.com/

• Instagram: @katierosepryal

• Facebook : @katieroseguestpryal

Welcome to another episode of the Working Writer Podcast! Today we are joined by guest Lisa Cooper Ellison, an expert in trauma-informed writing. In this discussion, we explore the importance of a trauma-aware approach in writing, particularly for personal stories and memoirs.

Lisa shares insights from her writing journey, highlighting the transformational power of storytelling and writing's therapeutic benefits. We discuss the developmental editing process, emphasizing patience, humility, and self-compassion. The conversation also covers practical advice for emerging writers, including starting with shorter pieces and considering fiction to maintain distance from personal trauma.

Don't miss this captivating conversation packed with golden nuggets for writers at every level. Discover the revolutionary impact of trauma-aware writing and editing, and learn how trauma-informed coaching can be your secret weapon in conquering the emotional Everest of personal narratives.

Order A Well-Trained Wife! 

Free Fundie Cheatsheet⁠ ⁠

Read Deconstructing Fundamentalism with Tia Levings

Instagram: @tialevingswriter⁠⁠ 

TikTok : @tialevingswriter⁠⁠ 

Connect with Lisa Cooper Ellison:

• Website: Lisa Cooper Ellison 

• Instagram: @lisacooperellison 

• Twitter: @LisaEllisonsPen 

• Facebook : @lisacooperellison

Join us for a brand-new installment of the Working Writer Podcast! Today, we're excited to feature Trinity McFadden, a distinguished senior literary agent with a deep commitment to promoting diverse and underrepresented voices in the publishing industry.

Trinity shared her journey from her early love of literature, through various roles in publishing, to her current impactful role in agenting where she champions innovative and untested authors.

This episode is packed with invaluable advice for both authors and industry professionals. Don't miss it!

Order A Well-Trained Wife! 

Free Fundie Cheatsheet⁠ ⁠

The Anti-Fundamentalist : tialevings.substack.com⁠⁠ 

Instagram: @tialevingswriter⁠⁠ 

TikTok : @tialevingswriter⁠⁠

Connect with Trinity McFadden:

• Website: Trinity McFadden 

• Instagram: @trinityjmcfadden

Welcome to another episode of The Working Writer Podcast! I had the fantastic opportunity to speak with Cait West, author of Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy. We explored how our religious backgrounds impact our writing, touching on themes like horror in literature and the balance between creativity and darker story elements.

Cait shared her journey of faith deconstruction and finding her voice amidst patriarchal pressures. We discussed the emotional and technical sides of book publishing, the challenges of recounting personal tales, and the importance of managing emotional energy during the creative process.

Tune in to hear compelling stories of confronting past traumas, embracing healing, and the ongoing journey of personal and professional growth. Whether you’re a writer, a reader, or navigating your own path, this episode offers enlightening perspectives on harnessing your narrative amidst life's complexities.

Order A Well-Trained Wife! Free Fundie Cheatsheet ⁠⁠

The Anti-Fundamentalist : tialevings.substack.com⁠⁠

Instagram: @tialevingswriter ⁠⁠

TikTok : @tialevingswriter ⁠⁠ 

Connect with Cait West: 

• Rift : A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy 

• Website: Cait West 

• Instagram: @caitwestwrites 

• Twitter: @caitwestwrites

Bethny Ricks is the author of the memoir, FACE FORWARD : RECLAIMING HOPE WHEN EVERYTHING FALLS APART.

Face Forward is the story of how Bethny navigated failure and setbacks with unwavering faith. We talked about the importance of finding an agent who truly believes in your work and the impact of personality traits on creativity. Bethany shared her powerful journey from corporate HR to becoming a published poet, emphasizing the value of solitude, self-advocacy, and the freedom writing brings.

We also explored maintaining boundaries, the need for rest, and prioritizing genuine connections over social media metrics. Don't miss this episode; it's packed with insights on resilience, creativity, and living authentically. 

Pre-order ⁠A Well-Trained Wife⁠! 

Free Fundie Cheatsheet ⁠⁠

The Anti-Fundamentalist : tialevings.substack.com 

⁠Instagram: @tialevingswriter ⁠⁠

TikTok : @tialevingswriter ⁠⁠

Connect with Bethny Ricks:

• Face Forward : Reclaiming Hope When Everything Falls Apart 

• Website: Bethny Ricks 

• Instagram: @bethnyricks

You may want to start ironing your pajamas after this episode! Topics include: opening creative space, building more brain, time management, anchor clients, productive rest, and a quantum leap for writing.

Yi Shun Lai, author of A Suffragist’s Guide to the Antarctic, joins us to discuss her novel about an American suffragist who embarks on an Antarctic expedition during the Golden Age of exploration. Her journey evolves from a quest for equality to a fight for survival after their ship is crushed in ice.

Our conversation covers the disparities faced by writers of color, the lack of ADHD research in girls, and Yi Shun's upcoming books set in the Antarctic and Death Valley. We also delve into productivity tips, the power of a "second brain," and the impact of cultural conditioning on creativity. Don’t miss this enriching discussion—tune in to hear more!

Pre-order A Well-Trained Wife! 

Free Fundie Cheatsheet ⁠⁠

The Anti-Fundamentalist : tialevings.substack.com⁠⁠

Instagram: @tialevingswriter ⁠⁠

TikTok : @tialevingswriter ⁠⁠

Connect with Yi Shun Lai:

• A Suffragist’s Guide to the Antarctic 

• Website: Yi Shun Lai 

• Instagram: @yishunlai 

• Twitter: @gooddirt 

Mentioned Resources:

• Building A Second Brain 

• Tiago Forte

Athena Dixon is a poet, essayist, and editor. And today is a HUGE day for her--her latest book, THE LONELINESS FILES, releases today! Happy launch day, Athena!

Additionally, her work is included in the anthology The BreakBeat Poets Vol.2: Black Girl Magic and her craft work appears in Getting to the Truth: The Craft and Practice of Creative Nonfiction. Athena is an alumna of VONA, Callaloo, and Tin House and has received a prose fellowship from The Martha’s Vineyard Institute of Creative Writing. Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Athena now resides in Philadelphia.

Our convo explores the realities of being a working writer on a single income, how to find clearings in a calendar year to focus on deep writing and maintain project diversity. I hope you enjoy listening.

Connect with Athena:

AthenaDixon.com

On Instagram: @the_muse_paper

Connect with Tia:

Free Fundie Cheatsheet : ⁠⁠Fundie Cheatsheet⁠⁠

The Anti-Fundamentalist: ⁠⁠tialevings.substack.com⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠**@tialevingswriter**⁠⁠

TikTok : ⁠⁠**@tialevingswriter**⁠⁠

Book with Me for Content Coaching: ⁠⁠Tia's 1 on 1 Calendar⁠⁠

Author Melanie Brooks recently released her memoir of growing up forced to hide her father's painful secret-- his HIV/AIDS diagnosis after a blood transfusion. Join us for this broad conversation that shares the journey of writing A HARD SILENCE, as well as:

Connect with Melanie:

MelanieBrooks.com

@MelanieJMBrooksWriter on social media

Free Fundie Cheatsheet : ⁠⁠Fundie Cheatsheet⁠⁠

The Anti-Fundamentalist : ⁠⁠tialevings.substack.com⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠@tialevingswriter⁠⁠

TikTok : ⁠⁠@tialevingswriter⁠⁠

Book with Me for Content Coaching: ⁠⁠Tia's 1 on 1 Calendar⁠⁠

Ryan G. Van Cleve is an award-winning author, keynote speaker, teacher, and writing coach. They run the creative writing major at the Ringling College of Art and Design which has an annual free-to-enter creative writing contest for high school students. They serve as Editor at Bushel & Peck, which publishes exciting titles for kids, tweens, and teens.

They're also not-so-secretly known as the Picture Book Whisperer™–the industry’s go-to person to help celebrities and high-profile clients write and sell children’s books.

In this episode, Ryan shares a lifetime of hard-earned wisdom for every writer's practical challenge: how to pay the bills as a writer. We discuss maintaining multiple streams of income, setting realistic goals and expectations, and how writing opportunities you may not have considered can empower your overall career.

Find Ryan at the links above or at RyanGVanCleve.com

Writing Memoir for Dummies

The Weekend Book Proposal

Writing Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror for Dummies

Free Fundie Cheatsheet : ⁠Fundie Cheatsheet⁠

The Anti-Fundamentalist : ⁠tialevings.substack.com⁠

Instagram: ⁠@tialevingswriter⁠

TikTok : ⁠@tialevingswriter⁠

Book with Me for Content Coaching: ⁠Tia's 1 on 1 Calendar⁠