Wild Precious Life

Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Athena Dixon is a poet, essayist, and editor. She is the author of The Loneliness Files, The Incredible Shrinking Woman, and No God In This Room, winner of the Intersectional Midwest Chapbook Contest. In this episode, Annmarie and Athena talk about mental health, women who die alone, and how having loneliness in common might just be the connection we need to take better care of one another.

Episode Sponsors:

A Novel Idea – A community-minded bookstore and event space in East Passyunk, Philadelphia. At A Novel Idea, we hope to create and foster a space of diversity and inclusivity, and we want to help our customers fall in love with books, either for the first time or the millionth. More than anything, our goal is to cultivate community. Stop in or shop online at anovelideaphilly.com.

Zora’s Den – Dedicated to empowering the lives of Black women writers. At Zora’s Den, we host a monthly reading   series, conduct workshops, and invite writers to share their work-in-progress for feedback and constructive criticism. Our hope is to build a sisterhood of writers at every level of accomplishment and to strengthen the voices of the unheard and unacknowledged. If you’re a Black woman writer, you’re welcome to join us. Learn more at zorasden.com.

Titles Discussed in This Episode:

The Loneliness Files, by Athena Dixon

The Incredible Shrinking Woman, by Athena Dixon

No God in This Room, by Athena Dixon

The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, by John Koenig

Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston

Here’s a sneak peak of the movie Goodfellas.

Here’s the video for Hollywood by Victoria Monét.

Follow Athena Dixon:

Instagram: @the_muse_paper

Twitter: @AthenaDDixon

Facebook: @athenadevondixon

athenadixon.com

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Olga Mecking is a writer, journalist, and translator based in the Netherlands, and she’s the reporter who made Niksen (“doing nothing”) go viral. Her New York Times article on the subject was shared over 100,000 times. In this episode, Annmarie and Olga talk about the health and creativity benefits of doing nothing and why it is that pauses, rests, and breaks too often feel out of reach for our overworked selves.

Episode Sponsors:

The American Book Center – Booksellers with a personal touch. This family-owned bookstore, opened in 1972, has been quirky, friendly and knowledgeable from the start, and just counting our present staff, we represent more than 700 years of combined bookselling experience. Our Amsterdam location is often listed as one of the Ten Most beautiful Bookshops in the World, and our stores are highly rated for assortment and personal service. Drop by to touch and smell the books, or shop online at abc.nl.

International Writers' Collective – The Collective offers fiction and poetry workshops online and in the Netherlands and a vibrant international community to support you in your writing goals. Many students view their program as a cheaper and more flexible alternative to an MFA. Learn more and find a class at internationalwriterscollective.com.

Titles Discussed in This Episode:

Niksen: The Dutch Art of Doing Nothing, by Olga Mecking

One Chance in a Thousand: A Holocaust Memoir, by Jan Balicki and Olga Mecking

Here’s the trailer for FLASHDANCE.

Here’s the video for YELLOW SUBMARINE by the Beatles.

Follow Olga Mecking:

Instagram: @olgamecking

Twitter: @OlgaMecking

Facebook: @OlgaMeckingWriter

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Prince Shakur’s debut memoir, When They Tell You to Be Good, is a political and personal exploration of his coming of age as a writer and activist. In this episode, Laura Maylene Walter talks to Prince Shakur about how race and identity shaped his formative years, how journaling providing him with a creative outlet, his experience with activism and protest, the challenges he faced in the publishing industry, and working with Hanif Abdurraqib as his editor at Tin House Books, and more.

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Follow Laura Maylene Walter

Follow Prince Shakur

Instagram: @sweetblackprince

Twitter: @prshakur

YouTube: @PrinceShakurYouTube

www.princeshakur.com

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Alejandro Varela is the author of THE TOWN OF BABYLON, a finalist for the National Book Award, and THE PEOPLE WHO REPORT MORE STRESS, which The New York Times called “a master class in analyzing the unspoken” and praised Varela for shedding light on complex societal problems with “seemingly effortless wit and empathy." Varela has a Master’s Degree in Public Health, and believes strongly in reparations, land back, a national health service, and a $36 minimum wage pegged to inflation. In this episode, Annmarie and Alejandro talk about social justice, online dating, and whether writing fiction can help foster the collective liberation of our society.

Episode Sponsors:

The Word Is Change – A neighborhood bookstore in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, selling used and new books, hosting readings and meetings, buying books for resale, and supporting visual artists. Come into the store and find the perfect book you were looking for, or the perfect book you didn’t even know you were looking for. And shop online at thewordischange.com.

Greenlight Bookstore – Through knowledgeable staff, curated book selection, community partnerships, and a robust e-commerce website, Greenlight combines the best traditions of the neighborhood bookstore with a forward-looking sensibility, and welcomes readers of every kind to the heart of Brooklyn. Learn more and shop online at greenlightbookstore.com.

Titles Discussed in This Episode:

THE TOWN OF BABYLON, by Alejandro Varela 

THE PEOPLE WHO REPORT MORE STRESS, by Alejandro Varela

FALTAS: LETTERS TO EVERYONE IN MY HOMETOWN WHO ISN’T MY RAPIST, by Cecilia Gentili

Here’s the trailer for PAST LIVES.

Follow Alejandro Varela:

Instagram: @drovarela

Twitter: @drovarela

alejandrovarela.work

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Lou-Andrea Callewaert was a chronically ill child who learned to write through her pain. She’s the author of I FELL IN LOVE WITH HOPE, the story of young hospital patients who support one another throughout their terminal diagnoses and promise to live fully for as long as they are able. Lou writes under the pen name Lancali, and in this episode, she and Annmarie talk about grief, horseback riding, and the necessity of clinging to hope even when it seems like there is no reason to do so.

Episode Sponsors:

San Marco Books and More – An indie shop in Jacksonville, Florida, offering a large stock of classic fiction, a full range of children's books, an extensive choice of leather-bound titles, and literary gifts for folks of all ages. Drop by or shop online at sanmarcobooksandmore.com.

Parnassus Books – An independent bookstore located in Nashville, Tennessee, Parnassus is co-owned by bestselling author Ann Patchett and Managing Partner Karen Hayes. Parnassus provides a refuge for Nashvillians of all ages who share in our love of the written word. Learn more and shop online at parnassusbooks.net.

Titles Discussed in This Episode:

I FELL IN LOVE WITH HOPE, by Lancali

Here’s the trailer for TWO BROTHERS. 

Follow Lou-Andrea Callewaert:

TikTok: @lancali

Instagram: @lancalii

Twitter: @lancaliii

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Vauhini Vara’s debut novel, THE IMMORTAL KING RAO, has been published around the world, is being adapted for television, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. She’s out now with a new story collection, THIS IS SALVAGED, which Lit Hub and Electric Literature named one of the most anticipated books of the year. In this episode, Annmarie and Vauhini talk about the opportunities and costs of technology, writing through grief, and how to use Battlestar Galactica to solve craft problems.

Episode Sponsors:

Pegasus Books – Offering a huge selection of new, used and sale titles, Pegasus bookstores are welcoming and inclusive neighborhood spaces, where we believe in the printed word and in the alchemy of sharing books with one another. Find your next great read and shop online at pegasusbookstore.com.

StoryStudio Chicago – A writing center located in Chicago and online, which helps writers hone their craft, express their creativity, and tell their stories. With classes covering a wide variety of topics, genres, and levels, there is truly something for everyone at StoryStudio. Learn more at storystudiochicago.org.

Writing by Vauhini Vara:

The Immortal King Rao

This Is Salvaged

Ghosts

Confessions of a Viral AI Writer

Unknown Unknowns: UFOs, Autonomous Cars, and Someone Who Can Beat Trump

Other Titles Discussed in This Episode:

The Sorrow of Others, by Ada Zhang

Blue (Da Ba Dee), by Eiffel 65

Here’s the video for Disney’s Lava (It’s okay to cry.)

Even if you’re not into sci-fi, check out Battlestar Galactica.

Follow Vauhini Vara:

Twitter: @vauhinivara

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Karen Walrond is the author of THE LIGHTMAKER’S MANIFESTO and THE BEAUTY OF DIFFERENT, and she’s out now with a new book, RADIANT REBELLION, in which she urges all of us to reexamine the myths and celebrate more of the opportunities of growing older. In this episode, Karen and Annmarie talk about reclaiming aging, practicing joy, and how to take charge of our own stories as we walk, dance, and even hula hoop into the second half of our lives. 

Episode Sponsors:

Blue Willow Bookshop – A locally-owned, independently-minded West  Houston bookstore. Blue Willow is run by a team of opinionated, well-read women. Our staff meetings are full of laughter, our back room is full of snacks, and we absolutely love putting the right book into a reader’s hands. We’ve got recommendations. We’ve got pizzazz. And we look forward to welcoming you to our happy place. Stop in or shop online at bluewillow bookshop.com.

Lit Youngstown – A literary community proud to support beginning and experienced writers who seek to hone their craft, foster understanding, and share and publish their creative work. Read, write, and tell your story at lityoungstown.org.

Books by Karen Walrond:

RADIANT REBELLION: RECLAIM AGING, PRACTICE JOY, AND RAISE A LITTLE HELL

THE LIGHTMAKER’S MANIFESTO: HOW TO WORK FOR CHANGE WITHOUT LOSING YOUR JOY

THE BEAUTY OF DIFFERENT: OBSERVATIONS OF A CONFIDENT MISFIT

Other Titles Discussed in This Episode:

Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive, by Dr. Kristin Neff

Good Talk, by Mira Jacob

Follow Karen Walrond:

Instagram: @heychookooloonks

Facebook: @chookooloonks

www.chookooloonks.com

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Christian Kiefer is the director of the low-residency MFA at Ashland University. He’s the author of The Infinite Tides, The Animals, and Phantoms which was one of Kirkus Reviews and the BBC’s Best Books of 2019. And he’s out with a new novel, THE HEART OF IT ALL. Christian is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize for his short fiction and has enjoyed a second career in music, releasing a number of albums primarily in the folk-rock and avant-garde traditions. In this episode, Annmarie and Christian talk about love stories, goose attacks, and how any of us manage, in an increasingly divided America, to find a sense of family and community.

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On Sept. 16, 2023, one of our beloved guests, Echo Brown, passed away. We were incredibly saddened by the news, this is for her.

Echo Brown’s recent memoir, THE CHOSEN ONE, examines the opportunities and costs of an Ivy League education, and the obligation universities have to support and safeguard first-generation college students. Annmarie and Echo discuss inequity, community, and the need to be a promised land for one another. Additionally, Echo talks about her current health crisis and her urgent campaign to find a kidney donor.

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Jean Kwok immigrated from Hong Kong to Brooklyn when she was five, where she lived with her family in an unheated, roach-infested apartment. 

Her 2010 book, GIRL IN TRANSLATION, is a fictionalized account of how Jean worked in a clothing factory for much of her childhood. She followed that with MAMBO IN CHINATOWN which echoed the three years that Jean worked as a professional ballroom dancer, and SEARCHING FOR SYLVIE LEE, which was an instant NYTimes bestseller and a Read with Jenna Book Club pick. Now Jean’s out with a new novel, THE LEFTOVER WOMAN, which is an “evocative family drama and a riveting mystery about the ferocious pull of motherhood.” In this episode, Jean and Annmarie talk about the immigrant experience in this country, the joy of ballroom dancing, and the emotional truth at the core of the best fiction.

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