Writing for Immortality

📚✨ We're ending SEASON 1 with a fabulous show!

🖋️ Aspiring author?

📖 Seasoned writer?

🤔 Confused about publishing?

Terry Whalin, author of '10 Publishing Myths' and acquisitions editor at Morgan James Publishing, joins us on this episode of Writing for Immortality to demystify the publishing world!

This publishing veteran takes us on a journey through:

🚀 His personal wake-up call in book marketing

🏗️ Building a powerful author platform

📧 The surprising power of email lists

Don't miss this game-changing conversation with one of publishing's most accessible experts!

Find Terry here:

https://terrywhalin.com/

And though this is the last episode for the season, we'll be back in SEPTEMBER will all-new episodes, so make sure you subscribe!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:23 Taking 100% Responsibility for Book Promotion

07:38 The Real Money for Authors

17:32 The Myth of Self-Publishing

25:05 Building an Email List for Book Promotion

26:04 Navigating the Publishing Industry

27:26 The Value of Writing for Magazines

28:53 The Importance of Following Guidelines

30:16 The Challenges of Finding a Literary Agent

31:42 The Benefits of Perseverance in Publishing

36:30 Understanding Hybrid Publishing

39:48 Building a Writing Community and Networking

In this episode of Writing for Immortality, meet Julia Phillips, the acclaimed author of Bear and National Book Award finalist Disappearing Earth.

I interview Julia about Bear and we also talk about the exploration of the sisterly bond, about the setting of the book on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest, and the dynamics that play out between locals and tourists. The conversation shifts to the blinding effects of enchantment and mysticism, as well as the writing process and the joy (yes, the joy!) of revision. Crafting atmosphere, character-driven fiction while weaving complex themes into compelling narratives doesn't happen by magic, and Julia offers a master class in how she does what she does so well--that is, enchanting readers with her own spellbinding writing and world-building.

Don't miss this conversation with one of today's most exciting literary voices!

⁠https://www.juliaphillipswrites.com/⁠

⁠https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0525520430⁠

00:00 Introduction and Overview of Bear

02:22 Exploring the Sisterly Bond

11:17 The Dynamics Between Locals and Tourists

19:03 Enchantment and Mysticism

32:40 The Writing Process and the Joy of Revision

To paraphrase my old man, Barry Moser remains one of the most important book illustrators working in America today. I had the tremendous honor of taking a class with Barry when I was an undergraduate at Smith College, and in the intervening years had the privilege of interviewing him for various projects including his work on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.

Barry continues to innovate with wood engraving, a technique he says can be learned in an hour but requires a lifetime to master. Whether writing or engraving, he applies the same technique of finding the form to tell the story.

If there's any single takeaway from this conversation, it's that great art, whether in type or inked from blocks, requires dedication and patience. In other words, "there are no shortcuts," as Moser warns in the introduction to his treatise on woodcuts. "Mastery comes only with time, work, and repetition....Once your muscles know how to do their work, once they know how to cut thin white lines into boxwood, your mind will be free to invent."

A note: my introduction only notes the British Museum as a repository of Barry's work. Add The National Gallery of Art, Washington, The Metropolitan Museum, The Library of Congress, and MANY others.

Barry Moser

We Were Brothers

https://www.amazon.com/We-Were-Brothers-Barry-Moser/dp/1616204133

Arion Press

https://www.arionpress.com/

Barry Moser Illustrates Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass https://literaryfeaturessyndicate.com/2020/09/09/barry-moser-illustrates-narrative-of-the-life-of-frederick-douglass/

Chapters

00:00 Barry Moser's Memoir: 'We Were Brothers'

06:21 Challenging Labels: The Art of Illustration

16:08 Crafting the Perfect Illustration

38:22 Embracing Mortality: Barry Moser's Perspective

Everyone wants to read writers' stuff...right?

RIGHT???

Wrong.

Well...it's complicated. Truth is, this episode's catchy title is really about what writers can do to make their writing more interesting. Using Steven Pressfield's 2016 book, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t: And Other Tough-Love Truths to Make You a Better Writer https://www.amazon.com/Nobody-Wants-Read-Your-Tough-Love/dp/1936891492 Barbara talks about what every reader should have in mind when they're crafting their prose so that the next time they ask someone to read their work, they'll be met with an enthusiastic "You betcha!"

00:00 Engaging Readers: The Importance of Getting Noticed

01:27 The Power of the First Sentence: Hooks and Attention

02:25 Cultivating Empathy for the Reader

03:24 Narrative Nonfiction: Blending Fact and Fiction

05:22 Overcoming Writer's Block with Writing Prompts

Also mentioned in this episode:

DIYBook, an affordable, online writing platform that helps people write their books. Get started with a free 7-day trial, no special codes necessary!

https://www.diybook.us/

Poetry in West Africa is often part of a vibrant oral tradition that blurs genre boundaries as Barbara discusses in this episode with Todd Fredson, whose translation of Ivorian Coast poet Azo Vauguy's Zakwato & Loglêdou’s Peril was a finalist for the 2023 National Book Critics Circle Award.

They discuss Todd's journey into translation, his experiences in West Africa, and the themes and challenges of translating oral traditions and the importance of preserving and sharing African literature.

Todd's insights into the cultural and historical context of the poems and the impact of colonial legacies highlights the vibrancy and multi-sensory nature of poetry and the need for greater visibility and accessibility of African literature.

Get the book:

https://actionbooks.org/azo-vauguy-zakwato-logledous-peril/ Action Books

https://www.toddfredson.com/

00:00 Introduction to Todd Fredson and his work translating Azo Vauguy's poems

02:56 The complexities of translation and capturing the energy of the original text

08:40 Exploring the themes and challenges of African literature

13:52 The multi-sensory nature of poetry in West Africa

26:21 Engaging with African literature and challenging preconceived notions

Barbie becomes a real woman in Greta Gerwig’s summer 2023 blockbuster. Barbie’s journey continues in consultation with a therapist in Dr. Karyne Messina’s latest and bestselling book, "Barbie and the Great American Identity Crisis." In this podcast episode, Dr. Messina explores the complex world of identity using Barbie as a mechanism to understand the American identity crisis, stolen identities, and the impact of Barbie's unattainable beauty standards on self-confidence. Tune in as Dr. Messina discuss psychoanalysis, patriarchy, and community healing while highlighting the importance of critical thinking, self-awareness, and intentional living. An insightful discussion that challenges conventional norms and sparks introspection.

Dr. Messina is a psychoanalyst, author, and podcast host. I focus on promoting the development of the mind and human relationships while also advancing scholarly and social progress. 

Find Dr. Messina's books here: https://www.drkarynemessina.com/

Read Dr. Messina's newsletter: https://substack.com/@drkarynemessina

Listen to Dr. Messina's podcast: https://newbooksnetwork.com/hosts/profile/6c40ab19-ae97-4e52-b9fd-b50dfc6b0fc5

What is psychoanalysis? Learn more here and why it's suddenly making a comeback: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/22/style/freud-psychoanalysis.html

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Karen Messina and her book 'Barbie and the Great American Identity Crisis'

02:22 Exploring the Concept of Identity and its Importance

04:16 The Collective Identity Crisis in America

07:03 The Role of Projection and Projective Identification in Identity Formation

08:16 Barbie's Impact on Body Image and Self-Confidence

26:26 Implications of Projective Identification and Identity in America

28:25 The Power of Psychoanalysis

34:00 Exploring the Impact of Patriarchy

39:17 The Dark Side of the Internet

45:29 Living Life with Intention

47:23 Healing Communities through Truth and Reconciliation

What do you do when it's hotter than Hades and you've got a book to write? Barbara's got you covered in this week's episode. Speaking of heat, what do you do when you're feeling burnt out by your writing project? How do you keep going when life gets in your way? Barbara offers suggestions on how to tame the flames and soothe the burn. Plus, she shares a review of Broadway's musical The Great Gatsby and why we're seeing this adaptation of the classic novel now as well as a discussion of curse words in the English language (and why it feels so good to utter them!). We end the show with the debunking of a popular author myth regarding publishing.

Please subscribe and share with writing friends.

Books mentioned in today's show:

Nine Nasty Words: English in the Gutter: Then, Now and Forever, by John McWhorter https://tinyurl.com/2s44ww6r

10 Publishing Myths: Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed, by Terry Whalin https://tinyurl.com/yc4urcxf

The Byline Bible: Get Published in 5 Weeks, by Susan Shapiro https://www.amazon.com/Byline-Bible-Published-Five-Weeks/dp/1440353689

Episodes mentioned in this show:

Writing, Publishing and Instant Gratification: The Methodology of Susan Shapiro

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1w8O8Qa7roJZgbHTGI2VHC?si=32dfdd6367334a8b

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Episode Theme: Writing in the Heatwave

02:33 Chapter 1: Staying Motivated in Writing

09:05 Chapter 2: The Great Gatsby on Broadway

20:23 Chapter 4: Dispelling the Myth: You Can Be a Writer Without Publishing a Book

Bookmark this episode because you'll keep coming back for refreshers. Joining Barbara today is Susan Shapiro, an author whose wit and candor have given life to eighteen books—titles like "The Byline Bible" and "Unhooked" that might already grace your bookshelves--as well as hundreds of op-eds in major outlets from the New York Times to Oprah.com

Susan channels her expertise into teaching, where she guides burgeoning writers through the intricate process of publishing and beyond.

We’ll also explore Susan's journey from a self-described black sheep in a conservative Midwestern family to a central figure in New York’s literary circles, shedding light on how her personal tales enrich her professional teachings. Plus, Susan will share essential tips on perseverance in publishing, the importance of receiving criticism, and the often-overlooked art of crafting a compelling cover letter.

Whether you’re a veteran writer or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical advice, motivational stories, and honest discussions about the life of a writer. So tune in, soak up the wisdom, and don’t forget to subscribe and rate us on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us keep bringing valuable content like this to you.

Connect with Susan:

[email protected]

Find all her books and bylines here:

Now out in paperback:

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:16 Teaching Writing and Publishing

03:38 Helping Students Get Published

06:02 Diverse Range of Students

08:01 Setting Goals and Receiving Feedback

11:15 Importance of Constructive Criticism

13:08 Dealing with Rejection and Persevering

15:01 Collaborative Nature of Writing

21:05 Writing is Not a Linear Process

23:01 Importance of Finding the Right Audience

24:56 Timing and Relevance in Publishing

28:13 Staying Current with News and Trends

29:09 Exploring the Concept of Forgiveness and Apology

36:12 The Value of Community and Collaboration in the Writing Industry

39:27 The Power of a Sincere Apology

50:38 Finding Alternative Sources of Income as a Writer

53:25 The Importance of Open-Mindedness and Seeking Help in Writing

"Ghostwriting is very much a service-oriented profession. There's a reason why our names are not on the covers of books most of the time. It's not our book; it's the author's book, and it's their platform." Ghostwriters are the hired hands that guide an author's prose to the printed page, helping the author get that much closer to achieving immortality.

But where do ghosts come from? How does someone decide to join this profession? In this episode, Barbara talks to fellow ghostwriter Kent Sanders about his journey into ghostwriting and the challenges and rewards of the profession.

Though little known by most people, ghostwriting is tremendously rewarding and can be lucrative too, but success isn't immediate and it takes years to cultivate a thriving ghostwriting practice. Kent is a rare breed: a ghostwriter dedicated to both his clients and to helping fellow professionals achieve financial success. If you're curious about ghostwriting, then you don't want to miss this episode!

Connect with Kent:

https://www.instagram.com/writing4immortality/

Chapters

00:00 The Journey into Ghostwriting

06:12 The Criteria for a Successful Writing Career

13:11 The Role of Coaching in Ghostwriting

20:55 Dispelling Misconceptions about Ghostwriting

23:43 Adapting to Different Clients' Needs

24:10 The Service-Oriented Nature of Ghostwriting

26:54 The Role of Cover Credit in Ghostwriting

28:51 Dealing with Rejection and Radio Silence in Ghostwriting

30:47 The Importance of Confidentiality in Ghostwriting

41:19 The Impact of AI on Ghostwriting

Discover how shifting viewpoints can turn simple stories into captivating journeys. Ready to see your narrative in a whole new light? Don't miss it—tune in and transform your writing! 🌟📚

Previous episodes mentioned:

Dr. Jenelle Kim: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vff3fOud1p740v8G5VeNM?si=c349b3e7e19c45e0

Carlin Romano:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5TZ3zOwOqgaoUoicIIVQPn?si=a837a2ec706840ef

Make sure you never miss an episode--subscribe!

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