The Writer Shed

A fun and unique celebration of the famed Irish writer and author of Ulysses, James Joyce. June 16th, the novel the day takes place, is commemorated around the world and especially in Dublin as Bloomsday, named after the novel's protagonist, Leopold Bloom. And in Chicago, one of the world's most literary cities, a Bloomsday celebration  can take on very special meaning. Writer Shed Podcast host David W. Berner speaks with  J.B. Pariah and Jeff Helgeson — two of the men behind the 2022 Bloomsday in Chicago. 

Christine Sneed knows how to write. She's accomplished, smart, and talented. But sometimes writing is hard, a struggle, and it doesn't pay much. Still, she couldn't imagine doing anything else. In fact, she's done again what she's done before—published another book, a unique and interesting story told through office memos. Please Be Advised is her fifth book and its brilliant, funny, and full of characters many of us will quickly recognize from all those many office emails flooding our inbox.. Christine Sneed joins WRITER SHED PODCAST host David W. Berner in episode 32. 

Author and Substack publisher Jeremy Anderberg has a lot to say about today's reader, the books that matter, and finding online resources for readers and writers. Jeremy is the brains behind "Read More Books," a Substack site, newsletter, and the large group book club called The Big Read. He joins Writer Shed Podcast host David W. Berner to talk about what his newsletter and publication can do for you, and the book culture's move online.

Author and philosophy professor Richard Polt believes in the typewriter, its beauty, its mechanical genius, and its romantic image of a creative life. His book The Typewriter Revolution is an ode to a movement that returns us to the machine on which so many great words of literature and song have been formed. He speaks with Writer Shed Podcast host David W. Berner about why the typewriter remains a symbol of creativity and a tool of the imagination.  

The indie bookstore had a big revival a few years ago. Then the pandemic. But there are signs the indie world is rebalancing, reshaping, and resurgent. Why? What is the state of the great American bookstore? Arlan Hess of City Books in Pittsburgh joins Writer Shed Podcast host, David W. Berner to talk about how the indie bookstore continues to stand tall and why the future still looks bright. 

Narrative nonfiction is an enormously viable place for storytelling. And writer Arnie Bernstein knows this genre well.  He has written acclaimed books on history's forgotten stories. Arnie joins Writer Shed Podcast host David W. Berner to talk about the keys to great nonfiction writing, his love of research, and his affinity for the typewriter. 

Author and psychotherapist Martin Wells believes all of us can benefit from "letting go" of the ego. He writes about this in his three books, and especially so in the book No One Is Playing, The Essence of Mindfulness in Golf and in Life.  Writer Shed Podcast host David W. Berner speaks with Martin about the game of golf, and how the practice of mindfulness fits into sport, life, and the creative process, especially writing. 

New York-based recording artist Mike Errico knows a lot about songwriting. In fact, he teaches the process, and now he's written a book: Music, Lyrics, and Life: A Field Guide for the Advancing Songwriter. It's been called a "deep dive" into this mysterious creative outlet. In this episode of The Writer Shed Podcast, Mike speaks with host David W. Berner about how songs take shape, how to mine your own emotions for ideas, and tries to answer the question: What's the best song ever written?   

Writer Melanie Holmes is tired. She has put out three books in three years. She's working promotion for them all. And at the same time trying to create more work. The treadmill just keeps on rolling. But she's realized she has to give it all a rest. Why? And more importantly how?  Melanie joins WRITER SHED PODCAST host, David W. Berner to talk about writer burnout and how to douse the flames that put us in harms way. 

Serialized fiction online. Installment fiction is not a new idea, but it is available on new platforms, and Writer Shed Podcast host David W. Berner is jumping into the experiment with his new novel RAINBOW MAN.  After plenty of research and a recent discussion on the podcast with novelist Elle Griffin (Dec. 1, 2021 edition), David is currently offering the novel in installments, a chapter each week on Substack, where many writers —Patti Smith, Salman Rushdie, and others—are finding readers. In this edition of the WSP, the audio versions of chapter 1 and 2 of RAINBOW MAN.