The Write Atmosphere: A Podcast for Writers

As the podcast market grows, every author is turning to podcasts to promote their books. But with a non-zero learning curve and a novel's worth of podcast types, niches, and angles, it's hard to know where to start. Y. M. Nelson comes at this topic from both sides of the mic as an author and podcaster. She gives us advice on how authors can find podcasts, put together a solid pitch, make your appearance, and market published episodes so that you can become a sought-after podcast guest in your own right.

We all remember the books that shaped our childhoods, and for many authors, it's a dream to create those childhood-shaping books for future generations. The real challenge these days is actually getting your book into the hands of readers, no matter their age. Peter Felton, a teacher and critically acclaimed writer of chapter books, is here to give his advice on how to reach young readers and deliver exciting and rewarding author visits in schools.

Kids have big emotions, but so do adults, and that's where children's literature can come in to help kids process their emotions -- and help their parents facilitate that processing. As a children's book author, writing stories to start these conversations is a big responsibility to carry! Michelle De La Mora is one such author who used her own experiences with her grandson to not only write a gorgeous story about separation and love, but also to create companion materials adults can use to connect with the kids in their lives.

Jo Sparkes writes in a variety of genres, including children's media, fantasy, YA fiction, and screenwriting, so she's perfected the use of a 360 view to create and write characters so authentic they make readers believe they exist in real life. You can create such dynamic characters yourself using her techniques. Tune in to learn what questions Jo asks her characters, what situations she puts them in, and why it's so important to use this approach if you want to write better characters.

Music and poetry have long since gone hand in hand, so it's no wonder that an exciting artistic opportunity for composers and poets is to collaborate on new creations. Award-winning poet Athena Kildegaard is here to tell her story of working with musicians and has advice on how other poets can pursue similar endeavors.

For those of us with access to more than one language in which to write, jumping between languages can help us express ourselves more authentically and connect us with our communities. It can also give us the tools to communicate ideas that may be limited in one language but enhanced in another. Charnjit Gill, award-winning poet and playwright, weaves between English and Punjabi in her work, so she's the perfect artist to describe the challenges and joys of multilingual storytelling.

Writers struggling to find the time and motivation to finish their manuscript and take that next step toward publication is a tale as old as time. Danielle Blum, author and entrepreneur, has perfected the art of organization with her three-tier planner setup. She shares her insights and discoveries with us to help you manage your own creative chaos and reach your goals.

An MFA in Creative Writing can open creative and professional doors for writers, from giving you a consistent like-minded community to connecting you with agents. It can also be a significant expense that requires considerable lifestyle changes. Rhonda Zimlich, the Director of the MFA in Creative Writing Program at American University, explains the benefits of getting an MFA and what to consider before you apply.

Whether you're writing fiction, memoir, or even poetry, there's a balance to be struck between telling the truth and telling an interesting story. How do you preserve narrative interest and personal truths? Short fiction writer Rhea Thomas shares insights and examples to help you infuse your writing with creative authenticity.

Writing outside of your usual genre, working for big-name clients, exploring your creativity -- these are all things you could have access to as a ghostwriter. If you want to get paid to do all this and produce manuscripts, ghostwriting could be the way to advance your career. Alison McBain, award-winning novelist and ghostwriter for both celebrity and New York Times-bestselling authors, is here to talk us through how to get started.