The Write Atmosphere: A Podcast for Writers

On this episode of The Write Atmosphere, we sit down with Dakota, Head of the Children's Book Department and a passionate advocate for storytelling. Based in Brooklyn, Dakota guides authors through every stage of the publishing journey, from manuscript development to interior design, helping bring stories to life through a collaborative, creative, and joyful process.

On this episode of Write Atmosphere, I’m joined by Philadelphia-based writer and author Fredricka R. Maister, whose personal essays and articles explore the full spectrum of human experience—from everyday moments to life-altering events. Her work has appeared in publications including The Baltimore Sun, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune, HuffPost, The Writer, Brevity Blog, and many others.

We discuss her debut book, Three Times a Mourner: Personal Essays on Grief and Healing, and the deeply personal process of writing about loss. Fredricka shares how she transformed grief into meaningful storytelling, the challenges of revisiting painful memories on the page, and the healing power of personal essays. Our conversation explores vulnerability, resilience, and what writers can learn from documenting their most difficult experiences.

Whether you're navigating grief yourself, writing memoir or personal essays, or interested in the ways storytelling helps us make sense of life's hardest moments, this episode offers thoughtful insights and inspiration.

Learn more about Fredricka and her work at fredrickamaister.com.

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Finding the right editor can be one of the most important decisions a writer makes—but many authors aren't sure where to start or what to expect from the process.

In this episode, I'm joined by a professional writer and editor for an in-depth conversation about all things editing. We discuss the different types of editing, how to know when your manuscript is ready for an editor, where to find qualified professionals, and what makes a strong writer–editor relationship.

Whether you're working on your first book or preparing your next manuscript for publication, you'll gain practical insights into the editing process, learn what questions to ask before hiring an editor, and discover how the right editorial support can help elevate your work.

If you've ever wondered what editors really do—or how to find the right one for your project—this episode is for you.

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Writing a great book is only part of the journey. In this episode, Tal joins us to discuss what comes next: marketing, sales, and getting your book into readers' hands. Drawing on his experience in entertainment, sales, and training, Tal breaks down the step-by-step process authors can follow to promote their work, explore different marketing options, and build a strategy that fits their goals. Whether you're preparing for your first release or looking to expand your reach, this conversation offers practical insights for authors navigating the business side of publishing.

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In this episode, we talk with author Linda Fifer about her writing process, publishing journey, and the realities of bringing a book to life. Linda shares insights from her transition from a 44-year career in healthcare to becoming a full-time author, along with lessons she's learned through writing and publishing multiple novels. We also discuss her upcoming release, Jesus Lemonade, and what aspiring authors can expect on their own publishing path. See more from Linda at https://lsfiferauthor.com/

On this episode, we’re joined by Gary A. Keith. Author, essayist, and longtime Austin observer, for a conversation about the writing process behind fiction, nonfiction, and essays. We talk about where ideas come from, how stories take shape, and the differences between writing novels, political nonfiction, and personal essays.

Gary is the author of Austin Blues and The Mansions on Woodlawn Boulevard, and previously wrote extensively on Texas politics, including his award-finalist biography Eckhardt: There Once Was a Congressman from Texas. He also writes essays and poems on Substack and lectures on democracy and civic life.

Gary Keith ATX

https://garykeithatx.com/

Gary’s Substack

https://garykeith.substack.com/

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In this episode, we sit down with author Elinor Tambourine to discuss the writing process, navigating creativity through neurodivergency, and what it really takes to finally get the book done. From overcoming challenges to embracing unique ways of thinking, this conversation offers encouragement and insight for writers at every stage of their journey.

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Author for over 30 years! We talk to author Matt Peterson on writing process, exploring different genres and selling your book.

Matt Peterson is the pen name for Cisco Gonzalez, an American author who writes fictional stories with a comedic twist. As a military brat, he grew up all over the place. He enjoys any well-written and funny fiction and is influenced by authors such as Christopher Moore, John Scalzi, and Martha Wells. He currently resides in Tucson with his wife, her two feline enforcers and Cimarron, the best dog in the world.

Andrea Jo DeWerd is a book marketing strategist, publishing consultant, speaker, and founder of the future of agency LLC, the industry’s only full-service book marketing agency headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. A veteran of Big 5 publishing with more than 107 career New York Times bestsellers, Andrea has led campaigns across commercial and literary fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, business, wellness, cookbooks, and major lifestyle brands in roles at SImon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, and HarperCollins—including for authors such as Marc Benioff, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Ashley Flowers, Pati Jinich, Jamie Metzl, Elizabeth Strout, Dr. Tara Swart, Tara Westover, and Marie Yovanovitch. Andrea is a frequent speaker on what’s actually working in book marketing today, helping authors, publishers, and industry professionals navigate an increasingly complex publishing landscape. She holds an M.S. in Publishing from New York University and is also the author of the historical fantasy novel What We Sacrifice for Magic (Alcove Press).

Megan Sells holds an M.F.A. in Acting and Directing from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. Before joining the publishing world, they spent years developing new plays with theatre companies such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. That background informs their uniquely embodied, character-driven approach to editing.

They have edited over two dozen books across genres including speculative fiction, YA/MG, and memoirs. Megan is also a featured speaker at Writing Day Workshops, The Fiction Lab, and other workshops focused on narrative technique.