The Writer Shed

What did you read this past year that you will never forget? What book shook you to the core? What book was the most impactful, memorable? In this episode of The Writer Shed Podcast, three board members from the Chicago Writers Association offer their choices for "reads of the year," books they believe should be shared among all who love a good story. Randy Richardson, Samantha Hoffman and Sandra Colbert join host David W. Berner to discuss the 2021 reads that will linger long after 2022 arrives. 

The fantasy genre is enormous, wildly popular, and growing. Fantasy or speculative fiction is not only being devoured by readers, it is a genre now filled with creative and imaginative writers. One of them is bestselling author Charlie N. Holmberg. She joins WRITER SHED PODCAST host, David W. Berner to talk about her new book Star Mother, her creative process, and the future of fantasy.

Serializing a novel is not new. It's actually old. Charles Dickens did it. So did many others. What's different today is the platform we're using and the way readers discover and select the work. The one platform that's getting the most attention is SUBSTACK. Writers like Salman Rushdie and Chuck Palahniuk are on SUBSTACK with serialized fiction,  and more are coming.  Join Writer Shed Podcast host David W. Berner for a discuss with novelist Elle Griffin about her journey with serializing her American Gothic novel.

The memoir has taken many forms. Once seen as the genre of celebrities and statesman, written and shaped by ghostwriters, is now a vehicle for the stories of us all. What is the state of the modern memoir? Writer Shed Podcast host, David W. Berner speaks with three memoirists who have embraced the genre—somewhat reluctantly—but in unique and maybe unexpected ways. Links to their works are below. Listen in to what they have to say about the modern personal storyteller.

Like a Dog by Vincent Francone
All the Answers by Michael Kupperman
Come Home, Indio by Jim Terry

One of the biggest book-buying seasons is upon us. And this year, unlike last,  most bookstores will have the doors open to customers Good news! But who is buying and what? What is the reader looking for and why? Arlan Hess, the proprietor of City Books in Pittsburgh knows the reader like few others. She joins Writer Shed Podcast host David W. Berner with another of our occasional  check-ins on the reader and the the health of the indie bookstore. 

City Book Pittsburgh on Instagram

Cafe society, legendary artist hangouts—these are the places for imagination, writing,  contemplation, and conversation. They have inspired for centuries all over the world.. But what is it that makes a great literary café? Is it in the DNA? WRITER SHED PODCAST host, David W. Berner, speaks with the owners of two respected and legendary creative cafes — Chicago's Lula Cafe and New York City's Caffe Reggio—about the beauty of the artist's cafe where, as they say in Vienna, "time and space are consumed, but only coffee is on the bill." 

Writer Shed Stories, Vol. 3: Second Thoughts  will be published October 15, 2021. In this edition of The Writer Shed Podcast, some of the contributing writers read portions of their prose and poetry. Listen to hear the words come alive! This is part of our ongoing series to promote the creative process and to offer other platforms for writing. Think of it as an appetizer for the big meal coming when Writer Shed Stories Vol. 3 is released.

Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist is one of the biggest selling books in literary history. But reading his great fable of inner enlightenment is only part of the journey. Author Colm Holland delves into the real meaning of Coelho's story in the pages of his own bestselling book, The Secret of The Alchemist  and joins Writer Shed Podcast host David W. Berner in conversation about his connection to Coelho, alchemy, and how you can learn from it all. 

The final days of summer deserve the ultimate American road trip: Three road journeys to the best indie bookstores and literary sites in California, Texas, and New England. Award-winning travel writer Bill Fink talks about his recent travelogue in Drive magazine on a trio of literary road trips, the best quirky bookstores, and a book lover's treasures he discovered along the way. Join Bill and Writer Shed Podcast host David W. Berner  for a fun discussion about taking to the open road to discover literary gems.

The reader is morphing all the time, shifting from genre to genre, sometimes directly in step with the mood of society. And sometimes to escape it. With a tumultuous 2020 election season, a global pandemic, and cultural  strife, where has the reader been and where is he going? Arlan Hess, the proprietor of City Books in Pittsburgh knows the reader like few others. She joins Writer Shed Podcast host David W. Berner to talk about what people are reading now, why they are reading it, and the future of the bookstore and the book lover.

City Book Pittsburgh on Instagram