Why We Write

Enzo Silon Surin, Haitian-born poet, educator, publisher, and social advocate, is the author of two chapbooks, A Letter of Resignation: An American Libretto and Higher Ground. Surin’s work gives voice to experiences that take place in what he calls “broken spaces” and has appeared in numerous publications. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University and is an associate professor of English at Bunker Hill Community College and founding editor and publisher at Central Square Press.

Renée Watson is a New York Times bestselling author, educator, and activist whose latest novel for teens is "Watch Us Rise," co-written with Ellen Hagan. A native of Portland, Oregon, Renée writes books for kids and teens that reflect the diversity she often found missing in books when she was a child. Renée is also a community advocate and the founder of the I, Too, Arts Collective, based in the home of Langston Hughes.

Children's book author Susan Goodman writes books that are humorous, honest, and sometimes historical. Case in point, her book titles include "The Truth About Poop," "The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial,” and "See How They Run: Campaign Dreams, Election Schemes, and the Race to the White House." Her award-winning books grow out of Susan's myriad interests and never fail to engage and enlighten young readers.

If you've ever contemplated getting your MFA in Creative Writing, this is the episode for you. We've got a panel on the MFA in Creative Writing experience with three members of the Lesley University community — Boston Poet Laureate and Lesley University MFA in Creative Writing Interim Director Danielle Legros Georges, Associate Director Janet Pocorobba and alumna Heather Hughes, an associate editor at Harvard University Press. Recorded at the Boston Book Festival.

Scott Loring Sanders is the author of "Surviving Jersey: Danger and Insanity in the Garden State," a collection of personal essays on growing up in New Jersey and life beyond the state. In this interview, Sanders discusses murder and mayhem in his home state, the advice he gives to young writers and going on a police ride along for his upcoming novel.

Jami Brandli is an award-winning playwright based in Los Angeles who also teaches writing for the stage at Lesley University. In this episode she discusses "making it" as a playwright, writing strong female characters and her trilogy based on Greek myth.

Jason Reynolds is the New York Times bestselling author of Long Way Down and many other books for kids, middle grade and young adults. His novels feature diverse characters and are unfailingly compelling, compassionate, and timely. They take an unflinching look at gun violence, police brutality, family, loss, and friendship. In this interview, he speaks with fellow author Chris Lynch.

Who was the real Shakespeare? Cheryl Eagan-Donovan's documentary, Nothing Truer Than Truth, posits that William Shakespeare was none other than the rich playboy Edward de Vere. A screenplay writer and filmmaker, Eagan-Donovan presents her case...which is not without some controversy. (Good thing she named her production company Controversy Films!)

Rachel Kadish, author of the award-winning novel The Weight of Ink talks about women, history, doing a lot of research for her book, and more! Caroline Heller, author of Reading Claudius, interviews.

New York Times bestselling author Katie Cotugno writes "messy, complicated, feminist love stories" for teens and adults. In this lively interview, Katie talks about quitting her job to write full time, ghostwriting romance novels, and kissing books (naturally).